Whistleblowing and reporting mechanisms

Whistleblowing is widely recognised as playing a crucial role in exposing corruption, fraud, mismanagement and other wrongdoing that threatens public health and safety, financial integrity, human rights, the environment and the rule of law. By disclosing information about such misdeeds, whistleblowers have helped save numerous lives and billions of dollars in public funds, while preventing emerging scandals and disasters from worsening.

Yet blowing the whistle comes with risks. Whistleblowers may be fired, sued, blacklisted, arrested, threatened or, in extreme cases, assaulted or killed. Protecting whistleblowers from such retaliation enables corruption to be exposed, while also enhancing openness and accountability in government and corporate workplaces.