OSCE Mission expresses concern about Nis Prison suspension, calls for respect for whistleblower protection provisions

BELGRADE, 1 March 2013 - Paula Thiede, the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, expressed concern today at the decision of Nis Prison to suspend from work and initiate disciplinary procedures against Valentina Krstic, a whistleblower awarded protection by the Anti-corruption Agency.

This is the first known case in Serbia of apparent retaliation against a protected whistleblower for reporting allegations of corruption. According to the Anti-corruption Agency’s Regulation on the Protection of Persons who Report Allegations of Corruption, persons awarded whistleblower protection may not be subject to retribution, including the initiation of disciplinary procedures and a negative change in their work status.

“The Anti-corruption Agency protections are important in creating a ‘zero-tolerance’ climate toward corruption,” said Thiede. “Such provisions give employees the courage to report evidence of wrong-doing, and the protections must be respected.”

She added that the Mission will monitor this case and will support the conclusions of the Anti-corruption Agency in determining whether the Nis Prison decision constitutes retribution against the protected employee. Thiede underlined the urgency of adopting a law on whistleblowers in order to better protect individuals who report allegations of corruption and to regulate the rights and responsibilities of authorities and whistleblowers as a crucial step in effectively fighting corruption.