20170513 EU Umfrage zum Whistleblower Schutz

13.05.2017 EU Umfrage zum Whistleblower Schutz

Whistleblower schützen !

Vor zwei Tagen erreichte uns die Info, dass die EU Kommission "is running a public consultation on whistleblower protection".

Aktion Freiheit statt Angst hat die Missachtung und oft sogar kriminelle Verfolgung von Whistleblowern schon oft verurteilt und sich für einen gesetzlichen Schutz von Menschen eingesetzt, die mit dem Risiko ihren Arbeitsplatz zu verlieren, auf Mißstände in ihrem Umfeld hinweisen. Vorbilder für uns sind in dieser Hinsicht Edward Snowden* und Chelsea Manning.

Normalerweise erhalten wir Hinweise zur Mitarbeit oder Diskussion von EU Dokumenten über die FRA (Fundamental Rights Agency der EU) oder durch unseren Eintrag im Transparenz-Register der EU. Diesmal erreichte uns die Meldung durch eine spanische NGO, die sich ebenfalls für Whistleblower einsetzt - danke dafür!

Wir haben den Fragebogen der EU Kommission entsprechend deren Vorschlägen und unseren Forderungen ausgefüllt.

Hier einige wichtige Punkte des Fragebogen (nur eine kleine Auswahl der 17 Seiten):

To your mind, what are the BENEFITS of rules obliging public and private sector organisations to protect whistleblowers?
Most importantly, it will save lives, environment and money. More fair competition & clear business cases. Level playing field between public & private sectors also adds clarity for employees moving between sectors. The public sector can minimise misuse of public funding. Public procurement & tenders subject to high corruption risks can be recognised more easily. Tax avoidance is a concern for all sectors. It can strengthen freedom of expression, right to
information & investigative journalism.
In your opinion, which of the following aspects are important for effective whistleblower protection?
Safeguards by having clear rules for internal and external disclosure of information and the right to be anonymous. In case of disclosure to media the protection of journalists’ sources is vital. Independent channels for whistleblowing should also be established. An economic safety net for the whistleblower and funding for covering legal costs should exist.
In your opinion, what are the negative impacts likely to result from the absence of - or the insufficient - whistleblower protection in some EU countries for other EU countries and the EU as a whole?
Without EU protection, detecting wrongdoing not as efficient as it could be: different national legislation not known by potential whistleblowers (esp. in cross-border cases). Lack of legal certainty & level playing field between member states with/without protection. Not enough measures to detect corruption, tax fraud/deals etc. Also, litigation costs and reputational risks exist. Insufficient laws might favour national interest vs. public interest /EU interest / other states' interest.
Please indicate, for which of the minimum standards within any potential EU legislation you would consider horizontal, generally applicable, whistleblower protection and/or sectorial legal provisions more effective.
An EU-wide horizontal whistleblower protection should be established through a directive, providing a minimum level of protection throughout all member states and without sectoral boundaries. This would allow for national transposition through building on already established law in member states that offer protection and improving the situation where the protection is poor.

Die Umfrage kann noch bis zum 29.5. von Einzelpersonen und Organisationen ausgefüllt werden. Bitte beteiligt euch!

*) Edward Snowden ist Ehrenmitglied bei Aktion Freiheit statt Angst e.V.!

Mehr dazu bei http://www.eurocadres.eu/news/act-now-for-whistleblower-protection/
und die Umfrage https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/whistleblowerprotection2017

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