"Protection of Whistleblowers"

With the funding from the British Embassy in Belgrade and the Government of the Netherlands, the Commissioner successfully implemented the project "Protection of Whistleblowers" from July 2012 until November 2013.

The project had a twofold aim:

1. Considering that a comprehensive regulatory framework pertaining to the protection of whistleblowers is still lacking in Serbia, the project secured the production of a draft Law on the protection of whistleblowers, which was submitted to the Government for deliberation and adoption;

2. The project contributed towards building of knowledge and understanding among relevant stakeholders of the necessity for and the benefits of the protection of whistleblowers.

The key project activities were the following:

• Survey on perception of the public on whistleblowers and the need for the protection thereof – first ever conducted in Serbia.

• Production of a draft Law on the protection of whistleblowers (Working document – Model law as of May 2013.), which was the responsibility of an expert working group.

• Production of an analysis of the legal framework in Serbia pertaining to the protection of whistleblowers.

• Production of a comparative analysis on the legal protection of whistleblowers in countries with developed legal frameworks in this respect.

• Round tables with relevant stakeholders throughout Serbia where the legal framework and mechanisms for the protection of whistleblowers will be presented. Discussions at these events resulted in recommendations for the improvement of the draft Law.

• Seminars/workshops on the protection of whistleblowers for representatives of civil society organisations and the media throughout Serbia. The seminars/workshops introduced these organisations and media with their role in promotion and protection of whistleblowers, standards, benefits, comparative legal frameworks and protection mechanisms in order to strengthen their capacity to recognise such cases,.

• "International Conference on the Protection of Whistleblowers" was organised on 23-24 May 2013, with participation of relevant Serbian and international experts. The conference was one the most significant international events pertaining to the protection of whistleblowers in the world during the year 2013.

• Publication "Protection of Whistleblowers" was published, explaining the importance, benefits, comparative legal frameworks and mechanisms for the protection of whistleblowers, while also providing a policy outline. This publication was first ever publication in Serbian language on this issue.

Note: activities regarding the organisation of the international conference and the publication of the book were funded by the Government of the Netherlands.