The Croatian government sent to parliament on Thursday a bill designed to protect whistleblowers, i.e. people exposing any kind of information or activity that is illegal, unethical, or improper within an organisation that is either privately-owned or public.

The whistleblower protection bill includes provisions for the protection of whistleblowers, given that until now Croatia did not have an integral act which would regulate this issue in a consistent manner.

The bill includes general regulations, principles and rights of whistleblowers and their protection. It also regulates the procedure for reporting irregularities, as well proscribes authorities’ conduct following such reports.

According to the new bill, a whistleblower must receive feedback within 60 days of his reporting the wrongdoing, and must be given access to the case and case files.

Justice Minister Drazen Bosnjakovic said that this government-sponsored bill will encourage all those who detect any irregularities to go on to report them, on account of knowing that the government has mechanisms in place to deal with this.

Under the bill, whistleblowers will be have the right to court protection, compensation, identity protection, and confidentiality. The measures would also be extended to people connected with whistleblowers.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that the bill would contribute to the fight against corruption.

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