ABRE Coalition: Open letter calling for a participatory transposition for the protection of whistleblowers in Spain

Organisations in defence of whistleblowers request a participative, open and transparent process to transpose the European Directive 2019/1937 into Spanish law.

Spain is facing the responsibility and challenge of transposing the European Directive 2019/1937, of the European Parliament and Council, on the protection of persons who report infringements of Union law. Many whistleblowers are currently exposed to risks when revealing wrongdoing and may suffer retaliation, changes in their working conditions, persecution, defamation and even physical harm.

In the current legislature, various proposals from political parties and coalitions have been presented. Recently, the proposal made by Ciudadanos political party was voted down by Congress, on the basis that it was considered "insufficient" to protect whistleblowers. Other legislative alternatives have originated from the work and commitment of civil organizations.

On June 2, the Ministry of Justice formed a Working Group that depends on the Codification Commission, composed of members from various social sectors, without taking into consideration the opinion of the victims and civil society organisations.

Due to this, more than 15 civil society organisations agreed to publish an open letter to the Ministry of Justice, requesting an open and participatory legislative process, without waiting until December to see the final results. Although the Commission's statutes do not establish a participation mechanism, the signatory organisations believe it is legitimate to request the establishment of a formal channel to present expert opinions that will be taken into consideration during the work process.

The initiative, promoted by Blueprint for Free Speech and FIBGAR, hopes to achieve an open participatory process to achieve an ambitious, horizontal, and responsible transposition of the European Directive 2019/1937.

Signatory organisations:

Blueprint for Free Speech

Fundación Internacional Baltasar Garzón - FIBGAR

Access Info

AWP/Filtrala

X-Net

Transparencia Internacional - España

ASEBLAC - Asociación Española de los Sujetos Obligados en Prevención del Blanqueo de Capitales

ANADEI - Asociación Española de Afectados por Delitos Económicos e Impagos

Corruptil

Plataforma por la Honestidad

Alertadores contra la Corrupción - Valencia*

Fundación por la Justicia

Más Democracia

Acción Cívica

ADUCCO - Alertadores y denunciantes unidos contra la Corrupción*

Asociación Alianza contra la Corrupción - Andalucía*

(*) Represent whistleblowers who have suffered retaliations for exposing crimes and bad practices or have fought for improved whistleblower protection laws