Approximately 70% of countries that have completed the first cycle of the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism have received a recommendation to consider strengthening the implementation of Article 33 of the Convention related to the protection of reporting persons. Almost half of those countries also raised technical assistance needs to this end.
Whistleblower protection has been identified as a regional priority in all the four regional platforms created under the project.
In some countries, the in-depth legal and practical analysis of the current situation with regards to whistleblower protection revealed that the legal frameworks are often inexistent or insufficient. Regardless of the legal framework, it is the ineffective implementation of whistleblower protection regimes that poses a challenge for all involved stakeholders. This includes challenges to:
As such, the situation can be complex and more in-depth assistance at country levels will be required. In this regard, UNODC provides a wide range of tailored activities depending on the specific needs of the countries, such as providing legislative guidance and advice on whistleblower protection bills and regulations, developing guidance material/standards on how to develop policies and procedures related to whistleblower protection, and even in-country capacity building and assistance on the implementation of international norms, regulations and policies.
Increased importance of Whistleblower protection in the context of COVID19: the COVID-19 crisis has emphasized the importance of establishing WB protection systems.
Establishing an effective reporting system and corresponding protection mechanism has been recently recognized as one of the strongest methods to not only detect wrongdoings at an early stage but also offer the opportunity to organizations to rapidly establish mitigation measures that, for instance, prevent the reported violation from becoming a large scale corruption scandal. In the health sector, establishing such a reporting mechanism can therefore save lives.
UNODC has developed a set of activities and knowledge products in order to support countries that would wish to strengthen their whistleblower protection systems, specifically oriented towards the COVID-19 response.
Whistleblower protection is a regional priority in all the four regional platforms created under the fast-tracking UNCAC implementation project … more
Public procurement is repeatedly reported as the largest single area of corruption in countries participating the regional platforms. … more
The ability to facilitate efficient and effective mutual legal assistance and extradition is vital to combatting corruption committed
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Promoting integrity, transparency and accountability in the public sector is an important aspect of UNCAC Chapter II that is related to the prevention of corruption. … more
Financial investigations are constantly reported as a challenging area for most of the participating countries in the regional platforms. … more
Corruption thrives in times of crisis. UNODC supports Member States to prevent and combat corruption during COVID-19 pandemic.
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