The European Union prioritises upholding the rule of law, transparency, and honesty, values that are fundamental to any democratic society; hence the EU believes that whistleblowers serve a crucial role in upholding the rule of law by exposing corruption.
During the TAIEX Workshop on Advancing Whistleblower Protection in Namibia today, EU ambassador Ana-Beatriz Martins said for individuals to report wrongdoings, they must be given guarantee that they will be protected from retaliation and harm.
“That is precisely what brings us together here today – to explore, learn, and share best practices for protecting those who have the audacity to speak out,” she said.
TAIEX is the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument of the European Commission. TAIEX supports public administrations in the approximation, application, and enforcement of EU legislation as well as facilitating the sharing of EU best practices. It is largely needs-driven and delivers appropriate tailor-made expertise to address issues.
Namibia’s Whistleblower Protection Act, adopted in 2017, protects individuals who disclose misbehaviour and corruption. Retaliation against whistleblowers is a criminal offence punishable by up to N$75 000 fine or 15 years in prison.
“One thing is to have laws in place to protect whistleblowers, another one to ensure laws are effectively implemented and enforced. Also, in the fast-evolving digital age, it is necessary to look at new ways to safeguard the anonymity of those who denounce misconduct on virtual platforms,” said Martins.
She indicated that in the coming two days, experts from Europe and Africa will delve into a range of critical topics, from the mechanisms needed to establish accessible and reliable reporting channels, to Online & Anonymous Whistleblower Reporting Systems, to protection measures that need to be in place to shield whistleblowers from retaliation.
This week’s learning process is unique as professionals learn from one other’s good and terrible practices. Experts from Africa and Europe will investigate whistleblower protection regimes in Zambia to determine the most effective approach for Namibia’s unique setting.
–psiririka@nepc.com.na