The Whistleblower of the Week podcast has released a special episode highlighting the urgent need to enhance international whistleblower protections and strengthen transnational anti-corruption laws.
Hosted by FBI Whistleblower Jane Turner, the podcast featured Stephen M. Kohn, the Chairman of the National Whistleblower Centre (NWC) and an attorney for pivotal international whistleblowers.
The podcast is centred on the upcoming United Nations Anti-Corruption Conference set to take place in Doha, Qatar, from December 15-19.
Kohn explained that human rights defenders and NGOs needed to urge State Parties to endorse laws that fight corruption, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
These laws include powerful transnational whistleblower provisions, including strong confidentiality rules and the right to obtain monetary awards.
NWC was approved as an official NGO observer at CoSP11 and will be urging state parties to take meaningful action to protect whistleblowers and fight corruption.
NWC’s proposal calling for the UN to act on behalf of whistleblowers has already been endorsed by numerous NGOs from over 20 countries, including Angola, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, France, Ghana, India, Mexico, Indonesia, South Africa, the Philippines, and Switzerland.
Kohn stated that most international whistleblowers are unaware of their rights under transnational whistleblower laws, but “when used correctly, can stop corruption, hold corrupt officials accountable, protect and compensate whistleblowers”.
He stressed that the UN needs to embrace these laws and ensure that whistleblowers know their rights.
