On 29 November 2023, Council of Europe has joined forces with the Ministry of Justice of Armenia and provided support to launch an awareness raising initiative on the protection of whistleblowers. Council of Europe will work closely with the national authorities of Armenia to support the implementation of several activities outlined in the Action Plan developed by the Ministry of Justice to consolidate the existing system and legislative framework on whistleblowing.
The event’s opening session featured keynote speakers including Mr Karen Karapetyan, Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr Maxime Longangue, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Mr Jan Plešinger, Head of Political, Press and Information Section of Delegation of the European Union to Armenia.
The launch event provided a platform to foster a fruitful discussion on the country's legal framework concerning the whistleblowing system. Officials from the Ministry of Justice, Anti-Corruption Committee, and non-governmental organisations discussed with participants current mechanisms outlined in the Law on “Whistleblowing system” and existing protection mechanisms for whistleblowers.
Council of Europe consultant introduced best practices and standards regarding the protection of whistleblowers, emphasizing the significance of enforcing the established provisions. Furthermore, examples from other jurisdictions were presented to the audience together with additional directions for improving the legislative framework of Armenia on the whistleblowing system.
The Project aims to support further the Ministry of Justice with raising awareness, among civil society representatives and national stakeholders, regarding international standards in the field of whistleblowing and available tools to avoid retaliation against those reporting corruption offences and wrongdoings. The Project will also provide advice on improving the legislative framework of Armenia in the field of whistleblowing in line with European Union and Council of Europe legal instruments.
By building on effective cooperation with national stakeholders the Council of Europe will continue to support the Armenian authorities in further enhancing the effectiveness of their national corruption prevention system.
This event is part of the European Union and the Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the Project on “Enhancing national capacities for effective prevention and fight against economic crime in Armenia”.
