Source: seznamzpravy.cz
Two high-profile whistleblowing scandals have hit the headlines in the Czech Republic.
News website Seznam Zprávy reported on the two cases, both concerning suspicions of the mismanagement of EU funds. The first story, published 10 April 2023, concerning a Ministry of Finance whistleblower reporting concern for the misuse of EU subsidies in fish farming. The second on 29 May 2023, concerning the former head of the now abolished Office for Access for Transport Infrastructure who reported concerns for EU funding of railway programmes to the EU Commission. Both whistleblowers allege experiencing detrimental treatment as retaliation for reporting concerns.
Both cases highlight the need for strong whistleblower protection in the Czech Republic, which is delayed in transposing the EU Directive on Whistleblowing.
Jan Dupák, Lawyer at Transparency International Czech Republic said:
There are many cases in the Czech Republic, which show us again and again that speaking up against powerful players in the public sector often does not go unpunished. The newly enacted law on whistleblowing should help in many cases, but we would really need some reflection and reaction from the authorities. We should move forward and instead of focusing on the whistleblower, we need to focus primarily on the issues they report.“
All 27 EU Member States were required to fully implemented by the 17 December 2021. A referral to the European Court of Justice has been made by the EU Commissions for this failure, as well as for seven other Member States.
A new law to transpose the Directive was approved in the Senate of Parliament and is expected to enter into force on 1 august 2023.