Share this post
A journalist and human rights activist from a central Asian country has been living in exile in Europe after being detained and beaten by police in his home country as a result of his whistleblowing. He claims he and other journalists and members of the media have been persecuted for covering news of government abuses and protests against the authorities.
This case highlights the potential dangers for reporting persons and the reasons that the EU Whistleblowing Directive implements rigorous obligations for companies and government agencies regarding the prevention of retaliation against whistleblowers.
Background
The whistleblower began his journalism career in the early 2000s, going on to found an organisation that promoted freedom of expression and aimed to protect journalists in his home nation. His work often involves exposing human rights abuses and government corruption, which has drawn opposition from the country’s authorities.
Seven years into his career, the police detained the whistleblower after he covered a peaceful protest against the government. He reported that they beat him, resulting in him suffering a severe brain injury.
What happened next?
In the following years, the authorities raided the offices of his organisation as part of a wilder crackdown on dissent in society. They confiscated equipment and detained staff members, raising an arrest warrant for the whistleblower on charges of abuse of power and tax evasion. Many in the media community saw these allegations as being politically motivated as a result of his whistleblowing activities.
He sought refuge in the embassy of a European country in his nation’s capital, remaining in hiding there for nearly ten months. During his time in the embassy, he was stripped of his citizenship, rendering him stateless.
International organisations, including the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), condemned his home country’s actions and called for his protection. The following year, he was allowed to leave his home country and was granted asylum in the European nation, where he continues his advocacy work.
He has claimed that more than 40 journalists and media workers had been arrested in his home country in the previous two years, with his brother imprisoned for two years on charges he claims were falsified as punishment for reporting on the regime. There are also allegations that dissident journalists have been killed for their reporting.
What can we learn about whistleblowing?
This case illustrates the extreme measures some governments may take to silence dissent and the vital role of international support in protecting whistleblowers. It highlights the necessity for robust legal frameworks that safeguard individuals exposing wrongdoing.
The EU Whistleblowing Directive, on which national whistleblowing laws across the EU are based, was established because of this risk of retaliation against reporting persons. It states “potential whistleblowers are often discouraged from reporting their concerns or suspicions for fear of retaliation. In this context, the importance of providing balanced and effective whistleblower protection is increasingly acknowledged at both Union and international level.”
This could include anything from being passed over for promotion to reprisals on the scale of those the whistleblower in this case study suffered, which is why the directive recommends dissuasive sanctions against organisations and individuals who retaliate against whistleblowers.
Ensure a fair and secure whistleblower reporting process
It is essential that you create a speak-up culture that shows reporting persons you value their reports and that you will act upon any misconduct shown to have occurred. This means establishing punitive measures to prevent retaliation against whistleblowers. It also involves creating an impartial investigation team and offering a confidential reporting channel, enabling whistleblowers to submit testimony and evidence without fear of discovery by involved parties.
IntegrityLog is a platform that allows you to accept whistleblowing reports from employees, who can access it from anywhere and on any device. The secure system allows authorised investigation team members to communicate with the reporting person, preventing anyone else knowing their identity. It also keeps you on track with regulatory deadlines on its intuitive dashboard and can accept anonymous reports, if allowed in your organisation and jurisdiction. Request a demo today.
