Financial support was provided to the Ministry of Justice of Armenia to launch an awareness raising initiative on the protection of whistleblowers. The Partnership for Good Governance project will work closely with the national authorities of the country, to support the implementation of several activities outlined in the Action Plan developed by the Ministry of Justice to consolidate the existing system and legislative framework on whistleblowing.
The event’s opening session featured keynote speakers including Mr Karen Karapetyan, Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr Maxime Longangue, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Mr Jan Plešinger, Head of Political, Press and Information Section of Delegation of the European Union to Armenia.
The launch event provided a platform to foster a fruitful discussion on the the country's legal framework concerning the whistleblowing system. Officials from the Ministry of Justice, Anti-Corruption Committee, and non-governmental organisations discussed with participants current mechanisms outlined in the Law on “Whistleblowing system” and existing protection mechanisms for whistleblowers.
Best practices and standards regarding the protection of whistleblowers, emphasizing the significance of enforcing the established provisions, were provided. Examples from other jurisdictions were presented to the audience together with additional directions for improving the legislative framework of Armenia on the whistleblowing system.
The aim is to support further the Ministry of Justice with raising awareness, among civil society representatives and national stakeholders, regarding international standards in the field of whistleblowing and available tools to avoid retaliation against those reporting corruption offences and wrongdoings. In addition, advice will be provided to improve the legislative framework of Armenia in the field of whistleblowing in line with European Union and Council of Europe legal instruments.
By building on effective cooperation with national stakeholders, through the project, the Armenian authorities are expected to further enhance the effectiveness of national corruption prevention system.
This event is part of the European Union and the Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project on “Enhancing national capacities for effective prevention and fight against economic crime in Armenia".
