Editorials

Protect whistleblowers

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-25 07:50

Safeguarding the legitimate rights of whistleblowers is paramount given the persecution that many of them face at the hands of superiors once their role in exposing corruption is leaked.

In this regard, an amendment to the law on administrative supervision is being readied, which stipulates that anyone found exposing these whistleblowers to official scrutiny - often involving vested interests - will be disciplined and face legal action if the case so warrants.

Related readings:  Whistleblowers play big role in exposing crimes  Real-name whistleblowers must be replied to: Draft law

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which is in session currently, is expected to deliberate on the amendment.

It is not uncommon to see whistleblowers denied promotions and bonuses, or being demoted, despite the Supreme People's Procuratorate's insistence that the percentage of whistleblowers who face persecution is not as high as 70 percent as some media reports have claimed.

Worryingly, some of these whistleblowers have even been jailed on trumped up charges.

Many a time, the letters detailing the abuse of power end up in the hands of the very officials who indulge in such malfeasance. This has made whistleblowers very vulnerable to persecution. It has also dealt a heavy blow to the anti-corruption fight since timely tips from these whistleblowers help crack a number of cases involving corruption.

The proposed amendment is the right step, but is far from enough. Some parts of the draft are just too vague to incriminate culprits.

A detailed amendment is needed to book those found leaking information that exposes whistleblowers to official persecution.

(China Daily 06/25/2010 page8)