2016/2055(INI)
Role of whistle-blowers in the protection of EU's financial interests
AFCO | CONT | ECON | |
Lead Rapporteur | DE JONG Dennis (GUE/NGL) | ||
Opinion Rapporteur(s) | MESSERSCHMIDT Morten (ECR) |
Legal basis: RoP 052
Procedure completed
Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
---|---|---|---|
Opinion | AFCO | MESSERSCHMIDT Morten (ECR) | |
Lead | CONT | DE JONG Dennis (GUE/NGL) | PITERA Julia (EPP), IVAN Cătălin Sorin (S&D), THEURER Michael (ALDE), JÁVOR Benedek (Verts/ALE), VALLI Marco (EFD) |
Opinion | ECON |
Legal Basis RoP 052
Activites
- 2017/02/14 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
- 2017/02/13 Debate in Parliament
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2017/01/20
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
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A8-0004/2017
summary
The Committee on Budgetary Control adopted an own-initiative report by Dennis de JONG (GUE/NGL, NL) on the role of whistle-blowers in the protection of EUs financial interests. The report stressed that whistle-blowers contribute greatly to increasing the democratic quality of, and the trust in, public institutions by making them directly accountable to citizens and more transparent. Legislative proposal: Members urged the Commission to immediately submit a legislative proposal establishing an effective and comprehensive European whistle-blower protection programme which includes mechanisms for companies, public bodies and non-profit organisations. More specifically, the Commission is called upon to submit a legislative proposal before the end of this year protecting whistle-blowers as part of the necessary measures in the fields of the prevention of and fight against fraud affecting the financial interests of the Union. Member States which have not yet adopted the principles to protect whistle-blowers in their domestic law are called on to do so as soon as possible Whistle-blower protection: Members considered it necessary to foster an ethical culture helping to ensure that whistle-blowers will not suffer retaliation or face internal conflicts. They stressed that the definition of whistle-blowing includes the protection of those who disclose information with a reasonable belief that the information is true at the time it is disclosed, including those who make inaccurate disclosures in honest error. The Commission is invited to: provide a clear legal framework that guarantees that those exposing illegal or unethical activities are protected from retaliation or prosecution; ensure that its proposal affords the same protection to investigative journalists as it does to whistle-blowers. European body: the report stressed the need to establish an independent information-gathering, advisory and referral EU body, with offices in Member States which are in a position to receive reports of irregularities. It should be provided with sufficient budgetary resources, adequate competences and appropriate specialists, in order to help internal and external whistle-blowers in using the right channels to disclose their information on possible irregularities affecting the financial interests of the Union, while protecting their confidentiality and offering needed support and advice. Special unit: Members requested the establishment a special unit with a reporting line as well as dedicated facilities (e.g. hotlines, websites, contact points) within Parliament for receiving information from whistle-blowers relating to the financial interests of the Union, which will also provide them with advice and help in protecting them against any possible retaliatory measure. They called for a website to be launched where complaints can be submitted. Single working protocol: the report called on the Commission, and on the European Public Prosecutors Office in so far as it is within its mandate upon its establishment, to establish efficient channels of communication between the parties concerned, to likewise set up procedures for receiving and protecting whistle-blowers who provide information on irregularities, and to establish a single working protocol for whistle-blowers. The Commission is also called upon to: provide Parliament with any information received from whistle-blowers affecting the financial interests of the Union; carry out a public consultation to seek the view of stakeholders on the reporting mechanisms and on the potential shortcomings of the procedures at national level; study best practices from whistle-blower programmes already in place in other countries around the world. Lastly, the report called on Member States to refrain from criminalising the actions of whistle-blowers in disclosing information about illegal activities or irregularities harmful to the EUs financial interests.
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A8-0004/2017
summary
- 2017/01/09 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
- 2016/04/28 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Documents
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A8-0004/2017
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T8-0022/2017
Votes
A8-0004/2017 - Dennis de Jong - Résolution
Position | Total | ALDE | ECR | EFDD | ENF | GUE/NGL | NI | PPE | S&D | Verts/ALE | correctional |
For | 607 | 63 | 9 | 19 | 33 | 45 | 12 | 204 | 173 | 49 | 0 |
Against | 16 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Abstain | 70 | 3 | 55 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Amendments | Dossier |
132 |
2016/2055(INI) Role of whistle-blowers in the protection of EU's financial interests
2016/10/06
AFCO
39 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Maintains that whistle-blowers play an essential role in helping Member State and EU institutions and bodies to deter any breaches of the principle of integrity and misuse of power that might violate the rule of law at European and national levels, harm the economy, raise unemployment, restrict and distort fair competition and undermine the trust of citizens in democratic institutions and processes; in this regard, whistle-blowers greatly contribute to increase the democratic quality of and the trust in public institutions by making them directly accountable to citizens and more transparent;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Maintains that whistle-blowers play an essential role in helping Member State and EU institutions and bodies to
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Maintains that whistle-blowers play an essential role in helping Member State and EU institutions and bodies to deter any breaches of the principle of integrity and misuse of power that might violate the rule of law at European
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Maintains that whistle-blowers play an essential role in helping Member State and EU institutions and bodies to deter any breaches of the principle of integrity and misuse of power that might violate the rule of law at European and national levels, harm the economy or environment and undermine the trust of citizens in democratic institutions and processes;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Notes that the rights of both the whistle-blowers and the Public body or institution involved should enjoy the legal protection guaranteed by the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and the national legal provisions;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Recalls that Article 22(c) of the Staff Regulations requires EU institutions to introduce internal whistle-blowing rules providing protection for whistle-blowers
Amendment 7 #
3.
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Regrets that
Amendment 9 #
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Regrets that
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Regrets that not all EU institutions and bodies have yet adopted the rules to protect whistle-blowers;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Points out the need for the Parliament to carry out a study in order to come forward with a concrete proposal for a mechanism to protect Accredited Parliamentary Assistants in case they become whistle-blowers, when there is enough and solid evidence of corruption or serious misconduct on the part of his or her MEP, as well as creating a safe method of communication with the relevant posts of the European Parliament, while bearing in mind the special nature of the work of an Assistant;
Amendment 14 #
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Considers it necessary to foster an ethical culture helping to ensure that whistle-blowers will not suffer retaliation or face internal conflicts;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Takes note that the Commission, in its EU Anti-Corruption report, stated that EU Member States have in place most of the necessary anti-corruption legal instruments and institutions,
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Takes note that the Commission, in its EU Anti-Corruption report, stated that EU Member States have in place most of the necessary anti-corruption legal instruments and institutions,
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Takes note that the Commission, in its EU Anti-Corruption report, stated that EU Member States have in place most of the necessary anti-corruption legal States to put in place concrete efforts to ensure the adequate capacity of these instruments and institutions and improve their efficiency;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Takes note that the Commission, in its EU Anti-Corruption report, stated that EU Member States have in place most of the necessary anti-corruption legal instruments and institutions, however the capacity and efficiency of
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Calls on the Commission to take legislative action with the aim of improving transparency, by providing for a full access to documents, and fighting against corruption, including mafia- related type; regards it as essential to strengthen legislative provisions designed to guarantee greater transparency and audit to check that the funds have been properly used;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Regrets that many Member States have still failed to put in place dedicated whistle-blower protection rules, particularly given the essential nature of whistle-blower protection in the prevention of and fight against corruption and the fact that whistle-blower protection is recommended under the UN Convention on Anti-Corruption in Article 33;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 b (new) 4b. Points out that corruption, in particular in the context of the award of public contracts, makes it easier for organised crime to infiltrate the legal economy; calls, therefore on the Member States to take measures to curb the activities of professionals, banks, civil
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Recalls that Commission Directive 2015/2392 sets out the procedures for reporting, record-keeping requirements, and protection measures for whistle- blowers; underlines the importance in guaranteeing that whistle-blowers can report infringements in a confidential way and that their anonymity is properly and fully safeguarded also in the digital environment;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Commission to set up a
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Commission to set up an EU legal framework on the protection of whistle-blowers
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Reiterates its Calls on the Commission to
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Commission to set up an EU legal framework
Amendment 29 #
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Commission to set up an EU legal framework on the protection of whistle-blowers
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Commission to set up an EU legal framework on the protection of whistle-blowers
Amendment 32 #
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Calls on the Member States to refrain from criminalising the actions of whistle-blowers when they disclose information about illegal activities or irregularities against the EU’s financial interests;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Regrets the Commission’s decision to withdraw a chapter on the EU institutions from the report on corruption in the Member States and therefore calls on the Commission to reintroduce such important chapter;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Calls on the Commission to address the Ombudsman’s
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Calls on
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to develop and put in place specific policies and programmes to raise awareness on the social importance of whistle-blowers in ensuring the respect of the principle of integrity, detecting violations of fundamental rights and the rule of law as well as avoiding the misuse of power within our societies;
Amendment 39 #
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Calls for accessible secure direct channels to be set up for information about possible irregularities affecting the EU’s financial interests, while also ensuring confidentiality where such information and whistle-blowers are concerned;
source: PE-592.079
2016/10/18
CONT
93 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Heading 1 on the role of whistle-blowers in the protection of EU’s
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 1 a (new) - whereas the protection of EU public interests covers abuse of power, infringement of regulations, directives, and other EU provisions, and other actions posing a direct threat to the EU public interest,
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 7 a (new) - having regard to Council of Europe recommendation CM/Rec(2014)7 on the Protection of Whistleblowers,
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 9 a (new) - having regard to the inquiry of the European Ombudsman of 2 March 2015 and its call on EU Institutions to adopt the required rules on whistleblowing;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 9 a (new) - having regard to the Recommendation CM/Rec (2014)7 of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers,
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 9 a (new) - having regard to the OECD publication on "Committing to effective whistle-blower protection",
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 9 b (new) - having regard to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case Guja v. Moldova, Application No. 14277/04 of 12 February 2008,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 11 a (new) - having regard to Article 6 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas in the context of the discharge procedure, Parliament needs as much information as possible relating to
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas whistle-blowers therefore play an important role in detecting and reporting irregularities in respect of the expenditures or fraud relating to the EU budget, the notification of which helps stem not only tax offences such as tax evasion and avoidance, but also corruption and other crime-related activities;
Amendment 12 #
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas whistle-blowers therefore play an important role in detecting and reporting irregularities in respect of the expenditures relating to the EU budget, and whereas we therefore need to establish and promote a culture of security surrounding the European public good that means that EU officials and other staff, as well as the general public, feel engaged in sound management, and which shows that the EU institutions support, protect and encourage potential whistle-blowers; whereas it is vital for a horizontal legal framework to be established as a matter of urgency, which, by laying down rights and obligations, protects whistle-blowers throughout the EU, as well as in the EU institutions (protection of anonymity, legal, psychological and, where necessary, financial assistance, access to various information channels, rapid response schemes, etc.);
Amendment 14 #
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas whistle-blowers therefore play an important role in detecting and reporting irregularities in respect of the expenditures relating to the EU budget, as well as in identifying and publicising cases of corruption;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F a (new) G a. whereas the activity of whistle- blowers, based on the principles of transparency and integrity, is essential for whistleblowing, so their protection should be guaranteed by law and reinforced throughout the European Union but only if the purpose of their action is to protect the public interest by acting in good faith according to the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Recital G b (new) G b. whereas the authorities should not limit or reduce the ability of whistle- blowers and journalists to document and disclose illegal, unlawful or harmful practices, when revealing this information in good faith and the public interest is a priority;
Amendment 19 #
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Recital H H. whereas all the EU institutions have been obliged since 1 January 2014 to introduce internal rules protecting whistle- blowers who are officials of the EU institutions, in accordance with Articles 22a, 22b and 22c of the Staff Regulations, even though not all institutions have yet done so and the working group of the interinstitutional Preparatory Committee for Matters relating to the Staff Regulations, dealing with the protection of whistle-blowers, has not yet finished its work; whereas those internal rules must take account of the management structure and of the specific characteristics of the various categories under the Staff Regulations;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Recital H a (new) Ha. Welcomes the decision taken by the European Ombudsman in 2014 to launch an own-initiative investigation, addressed to the EU institutions, into the protection of whistle-blowers, and welcomes the extremely positive outcomes that has had; calls for the institutions and other bodies of the EU that have yet to do so to apply, without delay, the guidelines that were drawn up upon conclusion of the investigation;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Recital H a (new) Ha. whereas that delay is the reason behind a discriminatory situation in which a vulnerable minority of potential whistle-blowers has been created who are liable to be mistreated within the institutions themselves;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Recital H a (new) H a. Notes that only a few EU Member States have introduced sufficiently advanced whistle-blower protection systems;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas the protection of whistle- blowers
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas the protection of whistle- blowers at Member State level has not been harmonised, which means that even when the financial interests of the European Union are at stake, it may be risky for whistle-blowers to provide Parliament with information on irregularities
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I a (new) I a. whereas there is a need to ensure that any kind of retaliation against whistle-blowers will be suitably punished;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Recital J Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Recital K K. whereas the Commission has so far failed to submit any legislative proposals aimed at
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Recital K a (new) K a. whereas, the Union legislator has already provided for the protection of whistleblowers in sectorial instruments including Directive 2013/30/EU on safety of offshore oil and gas operations, Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse, Directive (EU) 2015/849 on money laundering and terrorist financing and
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M a (new) M a. whereas according to OECD more than 1/3 of organisations with a reporting mechanism did not have or did not know of, a written policy on protecting those who report from reprisals;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N N. whereas non-governmental organisations such as Transparency International, Whistleblowing International Network, etc., have similarly developed international principles for whistle-blower legislation which should serve as a source of inspiration for EU initiatives in this regard;
Amendment 35 #
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N a (new) Na. whereas whistle-blower protection is a fairly new legal field and whereas most of the laws, provisions, and rules have been have been adopted within the last 20 years, and the best solution for protecting whistle-blowers is still being sought;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N a (new) N a. whereas whistle-blowing is a fundamental source of information in the fight against organised crime and in the investigation of corruption in the public sector;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N b (new) N b. whereas the protection of whistle- blowers is essential to safeguarding the public good and the financial interests of the Union and to promoting a culture of public accountability and integrity in both public and private institutions;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N c (new) N c. whereas in many jurisdictions, and particularly in the private sector, employees are subject to duties of confidentiality with respect to certain information, which means that whistle-
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Reiterates its call on the Commission to swiftly submit a legislative proposal establishing an effective and comprehensive European whistle-blower protection programme a
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Reiterates its call on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal establishing an effective and comprehensive European whistle-blower protection
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Reiterates its call on the and non-profit organisations and, in particular, calls on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal before the end of this year protecting whistle-blowers as part of the necessary measures in the fields of the prevention of and fight against fraud affecting the financial interests of the Union, with a view to affording effective and equivalent protection in the Member States and in all the Union’s institutions, bodies, offices and agencies;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Reiterates its call on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal establishing an effective and comprehensive European whistle-blower protection programme and, in particular, calls on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal before the end of this year protecting whistle-blowers as part of the necessary measures in the fields of the prevention of and fight against fraud affecting the financial and other public interests of the Union, with a view to affording effective and equivalent protection in the Member States and in all the Union’s institutions, bodies, offices and agencies;
Amendment 46 #
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph -1 (new) -1. calls on EU Member States which have not yet adopted the principles to protect whistleblowers in their domestic law, to do so as soon as possible;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) external investigation can be held and penalties considered for every form of retaliation against whistle-blowers;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Emphasises that whistle-blowing relating to the financial and other public interests of the Union is the
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Emphasises that whistle-blowing relating to the financial interests of the Union is the disclosure or reporting of wrongdoing, including, but not limited to, corruption, fraud, conflicts of interest, money laundering, infiltration by organised crime and acts to cover up any
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Emphasises that whistle-blowing relating to the financial interests of the Union is the disclosure or reporting of wrongdoing, including, but not limited to, corruption, fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance, money laundering, conflicts of interest and acts to cover up any of these;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2 a. Reiterates that a whistle-blower is required to inform about irregularities, which are contrary to the purpose of an organization, which may affect other employees, or institutions, or would be otherwise detrimental to the public interest;
Amendment 53 #
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 b (new) 2 b. Reiterates that whistle-blowers often have better access to sensitive information than outsiders, and thus may be more likely exposed to greater consequences related to their professional career, or risk their personal safety protected by Article 6 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Stresses that the definition of whistle-blowing includes the protection of those who disclose information with a reasonable belief and evidence that the information is true at the time it is disclosed, including those who make inaccurate disclosures in honest error;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Stresses that the definition of whistle-blowing includes the protection of those who disclose information with a reasonable belief that the information is true at the time it is disclosed, including those who make inaccurate disclosures in honest error; and the definition of irregularities should take into account cultural and institutional differences;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Maintains that 'whistle-blowing' is a noble, generous act in which a person puts his or her career at risk in order to prevent potentially harmful unlawful activities;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Expresses the need to e
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Expresses the need to e
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Expresses the need to establish an independent EU institution with sufficient budgetary resources, adequate competences and appropriate specialists, in order to help whistle-blowers use the right channels to disclose their information on possible irregularities affecting the financial interests of the Union, while protecting their confidentiality and offering assistance against possible retaliatory measures; in the first phase, its work would be primarily based on reliable verification of the information received;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Expresses the need to establish an independent EU institution or a range of offices or authorities at EU level who are in a position to receive reports of corruption or other types of wrongdoings with sufficient budgetary resources, in order to help whistle-blowers use the right channels to disclose their information on possible irregularities affecting the financial interests of the Union, while protecting their confidentiality and offering
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Expresses the need to establish an independent
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Expresses the need to establish an independent EU
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Expresses the need to establish an independent
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4 a. Calls EU Institutions, in cooperation with all relevant National Authorities, to set up and organise all necessary measures to protect the confidentiality of the information sources in order to prevent any discriminatory actions or threats;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Considers it essential that future activities in the 'whistle-blower' field should all particularly emphasise the importance of incentives, that is to say, offering extra reasons and encouragement for employees to report such irregularities as might have come to their notice;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4 a. Whistleblowers should permanently cooperate by sharing information with the competent EU
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 b (new) 4 b. The European institutions should raise awareness of the serious effects of defenceless whistleblowers, therefore the Commission should provide a comprehensive action plan in this direction.
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Requests the establishment of a special
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Requests the establishment of a special
Amendment 76 #
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 – point 1 (new) (1) Commission should provide a clear legal framework that guarantees that those exposing illegal or unethical activities are protected from retaliation or prosecution.
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 – point 2 (new) (2) the Commission should present concrete proposals for full protection of those who expose illegalities and irregularities, to provide a comprehensive
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Emphasizes the fact that while the platform "EU Leaks" was launched in September 2016, allowing anonymous publication of documents which indicate irregularities; the widespread access and complete anonymity of the system could also be used for activities other than those undertaken in good faith aiming to protect the public interest;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Expresses the need to ensure that reporting mechanisms are accessible, safe and secure, and that whistle blowers' claims are professionally investigated;
Amendment 81 #
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. also checks will be performed in order to establish the accuracy of the information
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Commission
Amendment 84 #
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Commission, and in particular on the European Anti-Fraud Office,to establish efficient communication ways between the involved parties, to similarly set up procedures for receiving and protecting whistle-blowers who provide information on irregularities relating to the financial interests of the Union;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Calls on the Commission, and in interests of the Union;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Calls on all EU institutions and bodies to take the necessary action to ensure recognition and consideration of, and respect for, whistle-blowers in all cases that affect or have affected them and that have been acknowledged as such by the Court of Justice of the European Union, and points out that this should apply retroactively; calls on them, furthermore, to publicly and substantively report on the rulings concerned to the institution as a whole;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 7. Calls on the Commission
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Calls on the Commission and on the Member States to promote whistle blower channels in order to provide Parliament with any information received from whistle-blowers affecting the financial interests of the Union;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 interests of the Union and to include a chapter on their alerts and the follow-up to these in the annual activity reports;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7 a. Reaffirms Parliament's longstanding support for the establishment of an efficient and independent European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) which is especially important in the context of the protection of the financial interests of the Union and the enforcement efforts to protect the EU budget, thus strengthening the fight against fraud in the European
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7 a. Calls on the Commission to carry out a public consultation to seek the view of stakeholders on the reporting mechanisms and on the potential shortcomings of the procedures at national level; the results of the public consultation will represent a valuable input for the Commission when preparing its future proposal on whistle-blowing;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7 a. Invites the independent EU body, and until established, the OLAF to write and publish an annual report on the evaluation of the protection of whistle- blowers in the European Union;
Amendment 96 #
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8 a. Invites the EU Agencies to provide a written policy on protecting those who report from reprisals
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Reiterates its call on all EU institutions who have not yet done so to implement Article 22c of the Staff Regulations without further delay; calls urgently on all the institutions to ensure that their internal rules in respect of whistle-blowers are reliable and comprehensive;
Amendment 101 #
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9 a. Encourages the countries to develop data, benchmarks and indicators on whistle-blower policies in both public and private sector
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 b (new) 9 b. Urges all institutions to ensure their respective adopted internal rules on whistleblower protections are robust and comprehensive
source: PE-592.170
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History
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