Debate on the protection of whiste-blowers

The European Parliament's plenary session held a debate on 6 July 2016 on how to improve legal safeguards for people revealing illegal or unethical activities in the public or private sectors. The debate was attended by the European Commission's vice-president and a representative from the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The key message of the debate was that whistleblowers leaking information in the public interest play a crucia role in upholding democracies, and must therefore be better protected from prosecution, reprisals and threats.

The debate was prompted by the conviction of 'Luxleaks' whistle-blowers Antoine Deltour and Raphaël Halet by a Luxembourg court for having revealed favourable tax deals granted to multinationals by the Luxembourg authorities.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 05.07.16: EU has 'world upside down' attitude to whistleblowers https://euobserver.com/institutional/134212

ESO: EU agencies faulted for not protecting whistleblowers http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-agencies-faulted-for-not-protecting-whistleblowers/

European Parliament: Press Release, 06.07.16: Whistle-blowers: providing a valuable public service http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160701STO34372/

Transparency International: EU Office: Press Release, 06.07.16: Now is the time for EU-wide whistleblower protection http://www.transparencyinternational.eu/2016/07/now-is-the-time-for-eu-wide-whistleblower-protection/

ESO: Background information: Fair Taxation: The Commission sets out next steps to increase tax transparency and tackle tax abuse http://www.europeansources.info/record/fair-taxation-the-commission-sets-out-next-steps-to-increase-tax-transparency-and-tackle-tax-abuse/

EUObserver, 09.09.16: MEPs sign letter in support of LuxLeaks whistleblowers https://euobserver.com/economic/134983

---