Azerbaijan’s proposed whistleblower law would require corruption-related reports to be reviewed within 20 working days and would provide confidentiality, legal assistance and safeguards against retaliation.
The draft was discussed on October 6 at a joint meeting of the Milli Majlis committees on defense, security and anti-corruption and on legal policy and state building.
Reports would have to be registered immediately, and the person filing the report would be notified. An organization’s head could extend the 20-working-day review period by up to 10 working days if additional material is needed.
Protection From Pressure
The bill would allow whistleblowers to request confidentiality and protection for themselves and close relatives. It also proposes state-funded professional legal assistance, exemption from court costs and the right to seek compensation for material and nonmaterial harm.
Government bodies, organizations and officials would be required to answer requests from investigators within seven working days. If a criminal case is opened, a whistleblower could be questioned as a witness only with consent, according to the draft described by local media.
Knowingly false or defamatory claims filed for personal gain would not qualify for the proposed protections. The measure remains a bill and has not yet taken effect.
Sources: Report.az, APA and the original Russian-language report on Vesti Baku.