Amnesty appoints telecommunications entrepreneur Bassim Haidar to its Global Council

(Davos, 21 January 2016) Amnesty International has today appointed Lebanese telecommunications entrepreneur and philanthropist Bassim Haidar as a member of the organization’s prestigious Global Council.

“We are delighted to welcome Bassim Haidar to Amnesty International’s Global Council. We believe his entrepreneurial talent, enthusiasm and commitment to justice will greatly help us as we try to build a world where human rights are a reality for all,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General at Amnesty International.

“Growing up in Lebanon and Africa and seeing human rights abuses first hand made me want to be engaged and make a difference. Amnesty International has now provided me with this platform. I was a member of Amnesty international in Nigeria 20 years ago so to be part of the Global Council is a great honour,” said Bassim Haidar.

“Most people do not understand their fundamental human rights and how to fight for them. With Amnesty International and the Global Council, we will make it our mission to spread this knowledge, and provide guidance, especially in countries where abuses are being ignored. It is now my time to give back.”

Passionate about business and technology, Bassim Haidar is the Co-founder & CEO of Logistics Company GMT Group and Chairman and CEO of the Channel IT Group, a telecoms company based in Nigeria. Channel IT operates in over 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East.

As the most recent member of Amnesty International’s Global Council, Bassim Haidar will join world renowned Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, pioneering Japanese artist Yoko Ono, financer and philanthropist Krishna Rao and social activist Hadeel Ibrahim.

Amnesty International’s Global Council was established in 2013 to help raise the public support and financial resources to fuel Amnesty International’s expansion in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Members are asked to serve as champions for Amnesty International within their own networks and help the organization’s Secretary General identify and engage new human rights supporters. Council members do this in a variety of ways that are suited to their backgrounds, areas of expertise, and interests.