Financial Crime World

Whistleblower Protection in Tunisia: Challenges and Recommendations

Challenges to Whistleblower Protection

In Tunisia, whistleblower protection is hindered by several challenges:

  • Lack of clear legislation: There is no single law that protects whistleblowers; instead, provisions are scattered across different legal texts.
  • Insufficient resources: Investigators and prosecutors lack the necessary resources to effectively investigate corruption cases.
  • Limited education and support: Whistleblowers in the workplace often receive inadequate education and support.

Current Laws and Regulations

While there is no punishment for non-reporting of crimes witnessed by individuals, the National Anti-Corruption Agency investigated over 1,000 cases of corruption. However:

  • Only 50 cases were brought to trial due to lack of resources.
  • The agency lacks financial resources, hindering its efforts.

Institutional Framework

The Tunisian government has established a platform (www.anticorruption-idara.gov.tn) for reporting corruption. However:

  • The platform’s impact is limited without strong policies and a comprehensive legal framework.
  • The National Anti-Corruption Agency lacks financial resources, which hinders its efforts.

Recommendations

To improve whistleblower protection in Tunisia:

  1. Establish a legal framework: Provide protection for citizens who report on corrupt practices and their families.
  2. Provide financial aid: Increase resources to support investigations of corruption.
  3. Advocate for whistleblowing: Jointly promote the importance of whistleblowing through efforts by the Tunisian government and civil society.

Whistleblower Protection in Practice

Several initiatives have been launched to raise awareness on whistleblowing:

  • The “Whistleblower of the Year Award” is an initiative by I WATCH (a Tunisian organization) to recognize and honor whistleblowers.
  • A public vote selects the winner, which is publicized as a way to encourage whistleblowers to speak out.

By addressing these challenges and implementing recommendations, Tunisia can improve whistleblower protection and rebuild trust between citizens and the government.