As of 1 March, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) will become the contact point of whistleblowers, as decided today by the Parliament of Latvia in the final reading. Amendments to the Whistleblowing Law also provide for new functions of the contact point, including monitoring compliance with the law and submitting proposals for necessary improvements.
The amendments to the Whistleblowing Law stipulate that, starting from 1 March, KNAB as the contact point of whistleblowers will provide training for contact persons and responsible persons in the field of whistleblowing, as well as examine whistleblower reports for which the competent authority cannot be clearly identified. KNAB’s functions are also expanded to include supervision of compliance with the Whistleblowing Law and the provision of recommendations on necessary improvements to the regulatory framework in this area.
KNAB is ready to take over the functions of the contact point of whistleblowers and to ensure the continuity of the whistleblowing system. KNAB sees several significant benefits in these changes. Since the Whistleblowing Law entered into force, KNAB has been the second largest competent authority most frequently receiving reports submitted as whistleblower reports. As a result, KNAB has already accumulated extensive experience in handling whistleblower reports and has earned public trust, which encourages individuals to report possible violations observed in the course of performing their work duties.
In addition, it should be emphasized that KNAB is an independent institution operating under a high level of security, which will provide whistleblowers with a safer reporting environment and foster trust in the process. Furthermore, as a law enforcement authority, KNAB has broader powers to detect offences, which may improve the effectiveness of examining whistleblower reports and uncovering violations.
Until now, the coordination of whistleblowing matters in Latvia has been the responsibility of the State Chancellery. To ensure the successful transfer of the planned functions, KNAB has already implemented closer cooperation with the State Chancellery in the field of whistleblowing over the past year.