Latvia yapitisha sheria ya kuwalinda watoa taarifa (Whistleblowers)

[JamiiTalks]

Serikali kwa kushirikiana na Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa ya Latvia(KNAB) na Taasisi ya Uwazi ya Kimataifa (Delna) wameanza kampeni ya kuongeza uelewa kwa wananchi kuhusu masuala ya kutoa taarifa kuhusu rushwa na jinsi watakavyolindwa kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya Ulinzi wa Watoa Taarifa ya mwaka 2018.

Sheria hiyo inakuza utaratibu mzuri wa ulinzi wa utangazaji na utangazaji kwa kufanya shughuli za ufikiaji ambazo zinakuza ufahamu wa utangazaji na ulinzi wa whistleblower; kukuza fursa za kuongeza kengele kwa mamlaka inayofaa; kukuza utaratibu mzuri wa utangazaji kwa maendeleo na utekelezaji; na kuchunguza njia bora, na kutoa kwa ufanisi ulinzi wa watoa taarifa.

Kuweka misingi ya kisheria kulinda watoa taarifa ni hatua ya kwanza tu. Utekelezaji mzuri wa sheria za ulinzi wa watoa taarifa ni muhimu sana na inajumuisha uundaji wa njia anuwai za kuripoti salama na zinazopatikana kwa urahisi na kulinda utambulisho wa watoa taarifa na pia kutoa msaada na dhamana ya ulinzi kwa watu wanaolalamikiwa.

Latvia​

Latvia’s State Chancellery, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau of Latvia (KNAB), and Transparency International Latvia (Delna) are increasing public awareness on reporting of breaches, including corruption, and the protections provided under the 2018 Whistleblower Protection Act.

The Act promotes effective whistleblowing and whistleblower protection mechanisms by performing outreach activities that promote awareness of whistleblowing and whistleblower protection; promoting opportunities to raise the alarm to the competent authorities; promoting efficient single whistleblowing mechanisms for the development and implementation; and exploring best practices, and effectively providing for whistleblower protection.

Setting the legal grounds to protect whistleblowers is only the first step. Effectively implementing whistleblower protection laws is equally crucial and includes the creation of a variety of safe and easily accessible reporting channels and to protect the identity of whistleblowers and also provide support and protection guarantees to persons subject to reprisals.

This reform was included in the 2017-2019 Latvia OGP National Action Plan.

Points of Contact for the Whistleblower Protection reform:

• State Chancellery of the Republic of Latvia
  • Inese Kušķe, Contact Point of Whistleblowers, Department For Public Administration Policy
• Transparency International Latvia – Delna
  • Inese Taurina, Executive Director
  • Antonio Greco, Project Manager and Researcher