Rozière positions whistleblower protection law as response to public concerns
European institutions have been seen as being too close to lobbyists and vested interests. It would be a real shame if member states’ representatives were now seen as acting against public concerns, in resisting a whistleblower protection law which encourages the reporting of crime and wrongdoing, said Virginie Rozière MEP.
The Rapporteur for the Whistleblower Protection Directive spoke at the recent European Broadcasting Union (EBU) event. Two days after successfully steering the whistleblowers protection measures, through the EP’s Legal Affairs Committee.
‘The European Parliament and the Council have to embrace the fact that elections are close at hand. Whistleblowers have largely driven the current mandate of the European Parliament (EP)’, Rozière stated.
Whistleblowers combat money laundering & tax evasion
If you think about Lux Leaks, the Panama Papers and now the Danske Bank case, whistleblowers interventions and revelations have been essential in helping us combat tax fraud, tax evasion and money laundering, continued the MEP. So, it is important that we in the EP now give them our protection and support with an ambitious whistleblower protection law, which was only partially represented in the initial proposal developed by the European Commission.
Whistleblowers have largely driven the current mandate of the European Parliament
On the strict stepped approach to reporting, where internal reporting is mandatory as a first step, the MEP highlighted the 2014 Council of Europe Recommendation on protection of whistleblowers. It acknowledges that ‘the individual circumstances of each case will determine the most appropriate channel’ when it comes to reporting.
Challenges ahead for directive
Reflecting on the upcoming battle to get the whistleblower protection adopted, Rozière said it could be a challenge to get both the hierarchy between external and internal reporting deleted and reporting on workers’ rights added, as there seems to be reservations in both the Council and from the Commission.
Whistleblowers are best placed to determine whom to disclose the information they have uncovered to, including reporting to the media
Chairing the event, Nicola Frank, EBU’s Head of European Affairs emphasised the importance of whistleblowers as a source for investigative journalism. She also noted that whistleblowers are best placed to determine whom to disclose the information they have uncovered to, including reporting to the media, which was included in the report on the directive, recently adopted by the EP. Frank welcomed the EP committee’s decision to delete the stepped approach to reporting, despite fierce political opposition.
MORE ARTICLES
Progress update: Are EU Governments taking whistleblowing protection seriously?
Today, on World Whistleblowing Day 2021 – less than 6 months before the deadline to transpose the Directive – we highlight key developments in EU countries since the publication of the report.
New civil society monitor on the EU Whistleblowing Directive
The partnership of Eurocadres, the Whistleblowing International Network (WIN) and Transparency International EU is delighted to announce the development and launch of EU Whistleblowing Monitor, a new online platform to monitor transposition and implementation of the EU Directive on Whistleblowing (2019/1937) across Europe.
EU whistleblowing provisions need adjustments in member states
Seven months remains for EU member states to transpose the whistleblower directive into national legislation.
Can transposing the Whistleblower Protection Directive be done on time? Maybe, but not at the cost of transparency and inclusiveness
EU governments were given two years to bring their national whistleblowing frameworks in line with the EU Directive on Whistleblower Protection.
Are EU Countries taking whistleblower protection seriously?
Transposition of the Whistleblower Protection Directive is a chance to ensure that people can expose abuses safely across the European Union – but EU nations might be letting the opportunity pass us all by.
EU Whistleblowing Meter monitors transposition process
The EU Whistleblowing Meter tracks the progress of transposition in each country.
Half a decade of whistleblower directive advocacy
Professor Wim Vandekerckhove from University of Greenwich has analysed the work of the platform in reaching a directive proposal on the protection of whistleblowers.
EVENT – Call to action: Whistleblower protection across the EU, 23 February
EVENT – 23 February, 14:00 – 15:30 (CET)
Best practice guide on whistleblowing for trade unions
What should be the role of trade unions in whistleblowing? Which internal arrangements, should be in place to establish a culture which promotes whistleblowing?
EU Whistleblowing Meter Launched to Monitor Transposition of EU Directive on Whistleblowing
On World Whistleblowing Day, 23 June, the Whistleblowing International Network along with its many partners and colleagues across Europe are launching the EU Whistleblowing Meter