Side Event - Whistleblower protections under pressure: Addressing barriers to effectiveness
Mar 25, 2025 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PMSide Events (CC4)
Mar 25, 2025 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Side Events (CC4)
Description
Whistleblowers are crucial in the fight against bribery and corruption, but ensuring their protection and support remains a global challenge. Despite the establishment of legal frameworks and protection mechanisms in numerous countries, significant gaps persist in making these systems both effective and accessible. Whistleblowers often face fears of retaliation, fragmented reporting channels, and uncertainty about whether their reports will reach the right authorities or lead to meaningful action.
This session will explore how the multiplicity of reporting mechanisms—across public and private sectors—can create confusion for whistleblowers and complicate the processing and response to reports. Participants will examine how enforcement authorities and organizations can effectively manage increasing volumes of whistleblower reports, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate bodies and acted upon in a timely manner. Discussions will also address gaps in legal frameworks, the enforcement of protections, and strategies to build trust in reporting mechanisms.
Additionally, the session will address the issue of incentivizing whistleblowers—ensuring they are not only protected but also motivated to come forward through recognition, support, and fair treatment. By fostering a culture of trust and accountability, whistleblower mechanisms can be strengthened to play a pivotal role in combating corruption worldwide.
