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Whistleblower Protections for Financial Crimes in Lithuania Stalled, Despite Growing Corruption Concerns

Despite widespread corruption concerns in Lithuania, a law aimed at protecting whistleblowers has been stalled in Parliament since 2010. According to Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer 2013, nearly 70% of respondents believed that public officials and civil servants were corrupt or extremely corrupt.

Lack of Legal Protection

Lithuania currently lacks adequate legal protection for individuals reporting corruption, mismanagement, or malpractice. There are over 100 reporting channels, but no mechanisms in place to safeguard those who come forward with information on financial crimes.

Transparency International Lithuania’s Efforts

Transparency International Lithuania has been pushing for whistleblower legislation, with Executive Director Sergejus Muravjovas emphasizing the importance of ensuring that citizens feel safe reporting corruption. “There is no better way to encourage citizens to engage in anti-corruption than to ensure they can report it safely,” he said.

Project Manager Rugilė Trumpytė echoed this sentiment, stating that the lack of whistleblower protections leaves individuals vulnerable to serious consequences, including job loss and psychological pressure. She stressed the need for a clear definition of who a whistleblower is, as well as some level of confidentiality to encourage reporting.

Recent Developments

The Ministry of Justice and Special Investigation Service have promised to revive the issue in Parliament after the summer break, sparking hope that progress may finally be made. In June, representatives from both organizations attended an event organized by Transparency International Lithuania, where they committed to bringing the matter back to the Parliamentary agenda.

NGO Fund Support

The Lithuanian NGO fund has provided €118,978 to Transparency International Lithuania through a project aimed at promoting accountability and openness in public institutions on national and local levels. The funding will enable the organization to contribute more actively in the preparation of legislative proposals and participate in working groups dealing with fiscal and legal environments for NGOs, freedom of information, and institutional openness.

Project Objectives

The project also includes the development of a methodology for reviewing openness in public institutions at both national and local levels, with municipalities being a special focus. Citizens often struggle to access information from their local municipality, and Transparency International Lithuania plans to organize meetings between citizens, politicians, and municipalities to address this issue.

Partnership with Transparency International Norway

The organization has teamed up with Transparency International Norway on the project, which will provide valuable expertise in promoting openness in municipalities. The partnership will also allow for training exercises and the formation of a network of municipalities involved in transparency initiatives.

Expert Perspective

Despite the stalled legislation, experts remain hopeful that progress can be made. “This partnership is really important for us,” Trumpytė said. “TI Norway has a lot of experience in working with openness in municipalities, and their knowledge and competence are really valuable for us.”