About: Whistleblowers
European Parliament backs rules to protect whistleblowers
The European Parliament on Tuesday (17 April) overwhelmingly voted for rules aimed at protecting whistleblowers from reprisals following corporate scandals such as Dieselgate and Cambridge Analytica.
Fair taxation: A mixed bag of results for the Juncker Commission
Since the LuxLeaks scandal, the fair taxation agenda has made some headway. But resistance from member states has also blocked many measures during the Juncker Commission mandate. EURACTIV France reports. What conclusions can be drawn from the Juncker Commission’s fair...
Why Europe should back a robust whistleblowers directive
Those who report corruption, criminal acts and breaches of public trust must be protected, writes Martin Jefflén, who calls for lowering the barriers when it comes to reporting wrongdoing in the corporate sphere.
Caution needed in transposing whistleblowing and trade secrets directives
The Commission presented on Monday (23 April) a draft directive on the protection of whistleblowers. However, this new draft counterbalances the directive on trade secrets adopted in 2016, which France is currently transposing. EURACTIV.fr reports.
MEPs call for better protection of journalists
MEPs have called for an independent investigation into the murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée and also demanded a better protection of investigative journalism. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Luxleaks case reaches highest grade of judgement
The hearing of an appeal case for Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet, who exposed corporate tax schemes in Luxembourg, opened on Thursday (November 23), after the European Parliament voted last month in favour of protection for whistleblowers. EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs call for stronger protection for whistleblowers
MEPs adopted by a large majority a report calling for a tough EU law on the protection of whistleblowers on Tuesday (24 October), despite attempts by some right-wing MEPs to water it down. EURACTIV France reports.
The Netherlands: Europe’s under-the-radar tax haven
Dutch NGO Somo has been blowing the whistle on the Netherlands’ tax practices since 1973. So far, to little effect. The founding member of the European Union was still the world’s third-ranked tax haven in 2016. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.
Panama is ‘not a tax haven’, says vice-president
Panama's vice-president yesterday (23 March) insisted her country is "not a tax haven" and claimed efforts to prevent scandals like the Panama Papers affair "go beyond just words". EURACTIV Spain reports.
EU moves to avoid repeat of horse meat scandal
The EU yesterday (15 March) toughened oversight of the food industry in Europe, including unannounced inspections, as MEPs approved legislation to prevent a repeat of a horse meat scandal.
LuxLeaks whistleblowers handed reduced sentences on appeal
A Luxembourg court yesterday (16 March) gave reduced sentences on appeal to two LuxLeaks whistleblowers convicted of leaking thousands of documents that revealed tax breaks for multinational firms.
Commission calls for input on whistleblower protection
The European Commission launched a consultation today (3 March) on the protection of whistleblowers, after MEPs called for EU-wide legislation in February.
EU halts release of anti-corruption report
In Romania, politicians were preparing to legalise political corruption, and elsewhere the misuse of EU funds makes headlines every day. Sandor Lederer asks why has the Commission decided not to release an in-depth anti-corruption report.
Snowden lawyers explore EU asylum options
Edward Snowden has asylum in Russia until 2020 but his lawyers have said it's time EU countries “pay back” for exposing the extent of American snooping by giving him legal protection.
Reda: ‘EU copyright reform would benefit fake news sites’
Günther Oettinger is leading the EU’s copyright reform efforts. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, MEP Julia Reda warned this would threaten the freedom of online news publications and benefit false news outlets at the expense of journalists and small publishers.
Sweden introduces pro-whistleblowers law
A new law intended to protect workers that point out irregularities in their workplace came into force in Sweden on New Year’s Day (1 January).
Prosecutors call for leniency against LuxLeaks whistleblowers
Prosecutors yesterday (19 December) recommended reduced sentences for two whistleblowers in the LuxLeaks tax scandal during closing arguments at an appeal trial in Luxembourg.
The Brief: LuxLeaks whistleblowers’ trial is a disgrace
It is hard to care about Luxembourg. But recently, I have developed strong feelings of dislike for it.
The Brief: After Trump victory, EU nervously eyes French election
The Berlin Wall fell 27 years ago today. Today, the US made a man who promised to build a wall the leader of the free world.
French lawmakers protect whistleblowers, urge EU to follow suit
French MPs on Tuesday (8 November) voted to strengthen legal protection for whistleblowers, as MEPs pushed the Commission to take action at European level. EURACTIV France reports.
Panama Papers inquiry sets its sights on Neelie Kroes
The new committee of inquiry into the Panama Papers has voted to stretch its mandate to cover the Bahamas leaks, the latest offshore revelations which directly implicate the former Commissioner Neelie Kroes. EURACTIV France reports.
Luxembourg appeals verdicts in Luxleaks tax scandal
Luxembourg has lodged an appeal against the verdicts handed down to three LuxLeaks whistleblowers who exposed the small duchy's huge tax breaks for giant multinationals, the justice department said Tuesday (2 August).
LuxLeaks highlights need for whistleblower protection and incentives
The time has come for EU member states to decide how they will treat whistleblowers. Erika Kelton asks, will they embrace and encourage them, or will they perpetuate a culture of fear?