People who report corruption will be able to seek protection for their own safety and that of their close relatives and relatives, as well as receive compensation.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the provisions are set out in a new draft law, “On the encouragement and protection of persons reporting offences related to corruption.”
The draft was discussed at a joint meeting today of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) committees on defense, security and combating corruption, and on legal policy and state building.
Under the draft, whistleblowers will have the right to request that information about them be kept confidential; seek protection for their own safety and that of their close relatives and relatives; and demand a ban on any form of unlawful pressure or unfair treatment against them.
They will also be entitled to professional legal assistance at state expense, exemption from court costs, compensation for material and moral damage, and confidential advice.
According to the document, the bodies responsible for protecting whistleblowers will include the organization where the person performs or performed work or services; a specialized anti-corruption prosecution body, which will decide on security measures in cases stipulated by the relevant article of the law; and a body designated by the relevant executive authority to implement those measures based on such a decision.
Whistleblower-protection frameworks commonly combine confidentiality, safeguards against retaliation and access to legal or financial remedies. The draft sets out how those protections would be administered in Azerbaijan and assigns responsibilities to the whistleblower’s organization and designated state bodies.
