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By Kate Sturgess
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TI Switzerland has been crusading for the rights and protection of whistleblowers for four years. In an encouraging move, the chapter developed and supported legislation demanding better protection for whistleblowers against unfair dismissal and other forms of discrimination that was adopted by the Swiss Government earlier this year. |
The chapter launched an anonymous hotline for whistleblowers in March, a first point of contact where whistleblowers can learn their rights and find out who to contact with an allegation of corruption.
Although it receives the calls through the hotline, TI Switzerland does not investigate cases. It is up to the police or relevant authority to decide how to proceed. In cases where a whistleblower is hesitant or frightened to go public, the chapter may forward the case anonymously to the relevant authority. Where warranted, after examination of the cases the chapter may transfer them to the Institute of Law at ZurichUniversity, which will also monitor the hotline’s efficiency in fighting corruption.
The widely reported launch of the hotline was very successful, and the response among users has been positive. The whistleblower hotline is a pilot project, and is currently seeking funding to continue its work. For more information, see:
www.transparency.ch/wDeutsch/dokumente/PressemeldungenPDF/PM_Wistleblower-Hotline_27.03.06.pdf.
(in a small box/section after TI CH piece)
TI Chapters running Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres in Southeast Europe, CzechRepublic and Azerbaijan have anti-corruption hotlines in place that offer legal advice to citizens affected by corruption. These centres are supported by a variety of donors, including the German Foreign Ministry, the European Commission and the US Agency for International Development. For more information, see:
www.transparency.org/regional_pages/europe_central_asia/projects_and_activities#alac