Whistleblowers get greater protection in Tunisia

Tunisia yesterday voted in favour of a law which protects whistleblowers in corruption cases.

The Assembly of People’s Representatives (APR) unanimously adopted an amended version of a draft law on the denunciation of corruption and the protection of its whistleblowers.

All 145 members supported the adoption of Article 17 of the draft law which will provide protection for whistleblowers. Proposals to amend the article in relation to the protection of investigative journalists were rejected.

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According to the Speaker of the Assembly of People’s Representatives, Mohamed Ennaceur, the adoption of the law is an important step in the fight against corruption and conflicts of interest.

The law sets out the conditions and procedures for denouncing corruption and protecting whistle-blowers as well as the necessary penalties envisaged against any person who proposes to reveal the identity of a whistleblower.

The ARP also adopted a bill calls for the creation of the “Loyalty and Sacrifice” badge to recognise the sacrifices of the civilians and military service officials in the fight against terrorism.