Monday

4th Dec 2023

Stakeholder

The EU needs a whistle-blower protection programme

  • During a seminar held 27 January in the European Parliament, members from the ALDE Group debated with lawyers, journalists and whistle-blowers the conditions and challenges of this European framework. (Photo: Alde)

European Liberals and Democrats, on 27 January, called for a horizontal legislative framework for the protection of whistle-blowers at EU level. During a seminar held in the European Parliament, members from the ALDE Group debated with lawyers, journalists and whistle-blowers on the conditions and challenges of this European framework.

On the relationship between whistle-blowers and trade secrets, Jean-Marie Cavada, vice-chair of the Legal Affairs committee in the European Parliament, said: "The protection of whistle-blowers is still a controversial issue, as proven by the inter-institutional negotiations on the trade secrets directive, where many exceptions in favour of freedom of expression, media freedom and the protection of whistle-blowers were subject to bottlenecks".

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

"I have always argued that trade secrets and freedom of press should be compatible, as investigative journalism contributes to the defence and maintenance of a healthy entrepreneurial and institutional environment," Cavada said.

"It is paradoxical to see that the EU has an extensive legislation on fundamental rights but has failed to legislate for the protection of whistle-blowers. They work in favour of the general interest and they are punished for doing it. The EU has a long way to go when it comes to their legal protection".

On the need of a European status for whistle- blowers, Cecilia Wikstrom, ALDE coordinator of the Civil Liberties committee, said: "Unfortunately, despite the vital role whistle-blowers have played during the last five years to disclose information in the fight against corruption, fraud and insecurity, most of them still are unprotected and commonly face harassment, firing, blacklisting, threats and even physical violence."

"This Parliament has asked the Commission to submit a legislative proposal,establishing an effective and comprehensive European whistle-blower protection programme. We urgently need horizontal legislative framework for the protection of whistle-blowers at EU level. The benefits of such a framework are crucial in ensuring an effective protection of all fundamental rights," Wikstrom said.

Disclaimer

This article is sponsored by a third party. All opinions in this article reflect the views of the author and not of EUobserver.

Latest News

  1. EU-China summit and migration files in focus This WEEK
  2. COP28 debates climate finance amid inflated accounting 'mess'
  3. Why EU's €18m for Israel undermines peace
  4. Israel's EU ambassador: 'No clean way to do this operation'
  5. Brussels denies having no 'concern' on Spain's amnesty law
  6. Dubai's COP28 — a view from the ground
  7. Germany moves to criminalise NGO search-and-rescue missions
  8. Israel recalls ambassador to Spain in new diplomatic spat

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  3. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  4. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?
  5. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsThis autumn Europalia arts festival is all about GEORGIA!
  6. UNOPSFostering health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us