New G20 principles on whistleblower protection must be urgently implemented

The G20 High Level Principles for Effective Protection of Whistleblowers endorsed today at the G20 Summit in Osaka are a welcome acknowledgement of the crucial role whistleblowers play in bringing wrongdoing to light, and the retribution they often face. G20 countries should now move quickly to turn words into action, and pass national legislation that matches or goes beyond the level of protection recommended by the Osaka principles.

More than 400 CSOs and trade unions from around the world had called for G20 principles that protect both public and private sector whistleblowers, regardless of their contractual relationship. In implementing the principles, governments should ensure that private sector whistleblowers are equally protected.

“Following the EU whistleblowing directive agreed earlier this year, and Australia’s advanced protection for whistleblowers in the private sector, these G20 principles continue momentum which can have an enormous positive impact on the fight against corruption,” said Emilia Berazategui, Global Advocacy Coordinator at Transparency International. “It is now crucial that G20 countries implement their commitment quickly, and ensure effective protection for the widest definition of whistleblower possible.”

“Since 2010, the G20 has produced more than 60 anti-corruption resources, but implementation of these has been lacking. The G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group should closely monitor implementation of these new High Level Principles, and publicly report on progress in two years at the end of the Italian G20 Presidency,” continued Berazategui.

Transparency International also recognises the positive contribution to anti-corruption contained in the G20 Compedium of Good Practices for Promoting Integrity and Transparency in Infrastructure Development.

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