Whistleblower Protection Takes Root in Occupied Palestinian Territory

A Historic Move Against Corruption

In October 2019, the occupied Palestinian territory took a significant step towards fighting corruption by adopting its first-ever whistleblower protection system. This landmark law gives citizens like Sami Khalidi a platform to expose corruption without fear of reprisal.

The Story of Sami Khalidi

Sami’s experience is a testament to the long struggle against corruption in Palestine. As a financial auditor in a Palestinian ministry, he discovered widespread embezzlement by high-ranking officials in 2015. Despite his efforts to report the fraud, he was told to leave his job under a new law for early retirement, and eventually forced into “retirement” at just 30 years old.

The Need for Change

Sami’s story is all too common in Palestine, where citizens who dare to speak out against corruption often face intimidation, job loss, or even imprisonment. According to the latest Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) survey, 47% of Palestinians believe government officials are corrupt, making it one of the highest rates in the region.

The Role of TI Palestine

TI Palestine’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC), which provides free legal advice to witnesses and victims of corruption, stepped in to support Sami. The centre investigated his allegations and worked with government bodies to verify the story, but instead of clearing his name, the process led to Sami being arrested for libel.

A Turning Point

The ALAC’s persistence paid off, however, as public pressure mounted and all charges against Sami were eventually dropped. The incident sparked a national outcry, galvanizing support for whistleblower protection.

A Major Victory in the Fight Against Corruption

TI Palestine hailed the new law as a major victory in the fight against corruption, which will remove the barrier of fear and encourage more citizens to report wrongdoing. The centre is now monitoring the system’s implementation to ensure its effective enforcement.

Impact on the Community

Sami, who now works in the private sector, knows his case has had a lasting impact, helping others to speak out safely without fear of reprisal. With 51% of Palestinians believing they can make a difference in fighting corruption, the new law is expected to have a significant impact on driving positive change in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Conclusion

The adoption of whistleblower protection laws in the occupied Palestinian territory marks a significant step towards holding those in power accountable and promoting transparency and accountability. As Sami’s story shows, it takes courage to stand up against corruption, but with the right support, brave individuals like him can bring about real change.