Bulgaria Takes Major Step Forward with Whistleblower Protection Act

Strengthening Anti-Corruption Efforts

Sofia - Bulgaria has taken a significant step towards strengthening its anti-corruption efforts by passing the Whistleblower Protection Act on January 27, bringing the country in line with the EU’s 2019 Whistleblowing Protection Directive. The law will take full effect on December 17, 2023.

International Technical Assistance

To ensure effective implementation and public awareness of the new legislation, the Basel Institute’s International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) has been providing technical assistance to the Commission for Protection of Personal Data (CPDP), Bulgaria’s central external commission responsible for implementing the law.

Public Information Campaign

On April 28, ICAR, CPDP, and the Bulgarian Institute for Legal Initiatives (BILI) co-hosted a roundtable event in Sofia to launch a public information campaign on the new law. The event brought together over 100 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, media, and civil society to increase understanding of the law’s implications.

Public Opinion Research

ICAR team lead Renne Traicova presented findings from recent public opinion research on perceptions of corruption and anti-corruption in Bulgaria, highlighting that corruption is a major concern for citizens and businesses. The survey found that people are more likely to report corruption if barriers to reporting are lowered and they are personally affected.

Law Text Development

The unanimous passing of the law by Bulgaria’s Parliament was a significant achievement, particularly given the country’s history of political volatility and changes in government. The law’s text was developed under former Minister of Justice Nadezhda Yordanova and caretaker Minister of Justice Krum Zarkov, with input from ICAR specialists and public consultation.

Key Provisions

The Whistleblower Protection Act requires employers in the public and private sectors to establish internal whistleblowing channels, while also providing protection for whistleblowers against retaliation or threats. The law imposes fines on those who retaliate against whistleblowers or initiate proceedings solely to harm them.

Future Implementation

ICAR will continue to work with its partners at CPDP to implement the new law, including providing local and international expertise. The Basel Institute extends its gratitude to fellow organizers, speakers, and supporters of the event, as well as USAID, CSD, and core donors for their ongoing support to ICAR’s work in Bulgaria.