Initiative on the role of whistle-blowers in the protection of EU’s financial interests

The European Parliament's budgetary control committee endorsed on 9 January 2017 a draft report on the protection of whistleblowers in the European Union. Members of the committee argued that a protection programme should be proposed by the European Commission, including mechanisms for companies, public bodies and non-profir organisations.

The text also advocates setting up an independent EU body to help internal and external whistle-blowers to use 'the right channels to disclose their information on possible irregularities' affecting the EU's financial interests. Additionally, a special unit should also be created within the Parliament.

The report was approved by the plenary session of the Parliament on 14 February.

• Primary Source

ESO: Debate on the protection of whistle-blowers http://www.europeansources.info/record/debate-on-the-protection-of-whiste-blowers/

European Parliament: Press Release, 09.01.17: Budgetary Control Committee MEPs call for EU-wide protection for whistle-blowers http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170109IPR57562/

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