Djibouti Takes a Major Step Forward in Fighting Corruption with Enactment of Whistleblower Protection Law

In 2018, Djibouti made a significant move towards combating corruption by enacting the Whistleblowers’ Protection Law. With minor modifications and improvements made in 2020, this landmark legislation provides a comprehensive system of protections and incentives for whistleblowers who dare to speak out against corruption.

Robust Protections for Whistleblowers

The law affords whistleblowers robust protection from various forms of threats and harm, including:

Confidentiality: The identities of whistleblowers remain confidential, with severe penalties imposed on those who breach this confidentiality.
Physical Harm Protection: Whistleblowers are shielded from physical harm, acts of retaliation in both their professional and personal lives, as well as in their career. This protection extends to family members and employees, including legal assistance and financial compensation in the event of harm or damage suffered.

Incentives for Whistleblowers

The law offers two key incentives for whistleblowers who report corruption:

Rewards: Whistleblowers may be rewarded with a percentage (up to 5%) of the funds saved or recovered by the state if they did not participate in the corrupt act.
Exemption from Criminal Penalties: Whistleblowers may be exempt from criminal penalties if they disclose information prior to authorities discovering the corrupt activity. Additionally, reduced sentences are provided for disclosure at a later stage, encouraging whistleblowers to come forward and cooperate with authorities without fear of retribution.

Accessing More Information

For those interested in learning more about Djibouti’s Whistleblowers Protection Law, relevant resources are available by clicking on the links below:

By providing a comprehensive system of protections and incentives, Djibouti’s Whistleblowers Protection Law is a significant step forward in the fight against corruption.