Whistleblowing International Network (WIN)

G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan – Implementation of whistleblower protection legislation by end 2012

ODAC  joins a group of organizations whose mission and commitment is sharing expertise and solidarity to enact and enforce the strongest possible rights for those who use freedom of speech to challenge abuses of power that betray the public trust.  This organization is called Whistleblowing International Network(WIN). 

WIN welcomes the commitment made at the Seoul G20 Summit where an Anti-Corruption Action Plan to combat corruption was drafted.   By proposing best practice legislation, the G20 is in a unique position to provide a benchmark in this field at a global level.

Point 7 of the plan deals with proposing best practice legislation for protecting whistle-blowers and hence the Whistle-blowing International Network has written a letter to the G20 to contribute to this discussion on how best to protect whistle-blowers. This builds on Transparency International’s Principle’s for Whistle-blowing Legislation.

Click here to view a letter sent to the co-chairs of the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group

Newly formed Whistleblowing International Network (WIN) 

At a meeting held on the 23 June in London ODAC joined the Whistleblowing International Network as a representative for South Africa. The Network was established with noted participation from Public Concern at Work, Transparency International and other Whistleblowing Campaigners from Germany and Ireland.

The background to the formation of network was as a result of a conference held by Transparency International in Bangkok 2011. One of sectional discussions ‘Moving Whistleblowing to the Next Level’, participants felt there was not enough support given to whistleblowers and whistleblowing issues internationally. At the conclusion of the session, participants felt a need to establish an international network to support whistleblowing.  This led to a second meeting held in London on 23 June 2011 to discuss the formation of an international network. ODAC was represented by Lorraine Martin Programme Manager of the Protected Disclosures Unit (Whistleblowing)

On the agenda were talks about creating a forum for knowledge exchange, increasing public awareness and creating alliances to enhance the protection and support available for whistleblowers and the question of whether there is a need to develop a world-wide civil society network of organisations dealing with whistleblowing were tackled.

There were debates on the role of classic and new media in this area, on-going processes to enhance whistleblower legislation, as well as the impact of differences in world-wide legal and political systems for such legal frameworks.

It was decided that as whistleblowing plays a critical role in detecting and preventing corruption and other malpractice, there is a need for more effective whistleblowing and adequate protection of whistleblowers. Rather than being seen as champions of the public good, whistleblowers are often perceived as disloyal to their employers or even as traitors or snitches. Their disclosures are often not followed-up with and whistleblowers often face reprisal at their workplace against which they are not adequately protected.  The international network would assist by building on the draft principles developed by Transparency International on whistleblower protection. These principles shared by as many civil society experts and whistleblowing organisations around the world might increase the influence of civil society in international discussions about whistleblowing laws currently taking place at UN, ILO, G20 or regional organisations like EU, OAS and SADC.  Knowledge exchange is very important. 

Globaleaks is assisting the network with IT support and Public Concern at Work will provide administrative support.

The Bangkok Declaration: Restoring Trust – 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference

ODAC together with more than 1,200 people from around 135 countries, from the public, private and nonprofit sectors came together in Bangkok, Thailand, for the 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) from 10 -13 November 2010, with a mission to restore trust through global action for transparency.

Full report: The Bangkok Declaration: Restoring Trust – 14th International Anti-Corruption Conference

Recommended draft principles for whistleblowing legislation

The principles take experience with existing whistleblowing legislation into account. They are meant to be guiding principles which should be adapted to individual countries’ specific contexts and existing legal frameworks. These principles are still under review and any contribution to their further development is welcome.Click on link below for the principals

Recommended draft principles for whistleblowing legislation Nov 2009 (42Kb)

These principles were developed by Transparency International with the support of experts and practitioners from around the world, namely: 

  • Canadians for Accountability
  • Members of the secretariat of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) and the Council’s Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO)
  • International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
  • Federal Accountability Initiative for Reform (Canada)
  • Government Accountability Project (USA)
  • Integrity Line (Switzerland)
  • Representatives of the International Chamber of Commerce (Anti-Corruption Commission)
  • National Whistleblowers Center (US)
  • Open Democracy Advice Centre (South Africa)
  • Project on Government Oversight (US)
  • Public Concern at Work (UK)
  • Risk Communication Concepts (Germany)
  • Whistleblower Network (Germany)
  • TI chapters from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia,
    Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and
    Slovakia
© 2010 Open Democracy Advice Centre. All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions Powered by WordPress | Theme by Fusspot