Corruption whistleblowers - the first thing they need is protection
(Baonghean) - Joint Circular No. 01/2015 of the Government Inspectorate - Ministry of Home Affairs regulating rewards for individuals with outstanding achievements in denouncing corruption will take effect from May 1.
According to this Circular, the subjects to be rewarded are individuals who have made outstanding achievements in denouncing acts of corruption and cooperating with competent agencies in handling acts of corruption and recovering assets for the State. There are 3 forms of reward: Medal of Courage, Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister, Certificate of Merit from ministries, branches, provinces, and central organizations.
In addition to the reward levels prescribed by the Law on Emulation and Commendation, those who have made outstanding achievements in denouncing acts of corruption will also be rewarded from the Anti-Corruption Reward Fund managed by the Government Inspectorate with the following levels: Medal of Courage: 60 times the basic salary (over 60 million VND), Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister: 40 times the basic salary (over 40 million VND), Certificate of Merit from ministries, branches, provinces, and central organizations: 20 times the basic salary (over 20 million VND). In the case of helping to recover money and assets for the State with a value of over 600 times the basic salary, they will be considered for a reward exceeding the above prescribed level but not exceeding 10% of the amount of money and value of recovered assets and not exceeding 3,000 times the basic salary (equivalent to 3.4 billion VND).
To implement the above reward regulations, the most important thing is to protect those who report corruption. If we cannot protect those who report corruption, not only will we not be able to reward them, but they will also be persecuted. In fact, reporting corruption is the first step in a legal struggle to protect collective interests and the legitimate rights of citizens. This struggle is not simple but very fierce. In many cases, after receiving the denunciation, the authorities have intervened promptly, handled it strictly, recovered assets for the State and returned the legitimate rights of citizens. But there are also cases where, after the denunciation appeared, corrupt elements colluded with each other in interest groups to cover up for each other and isolate the whistleblower. In these cases, if the whistleblower is not protected by the authorities in a timely manner, he or she will easily fall into a lonely situation and suffer many consequences: losing his or her job, being fired, being persecuted, or even being disciplined; there have been cases of injustice against whistleblowers.
The Central and local anti-corruption steering committees have organized many events to honor examples of bravery in fighting corruption, which have been supported by the people. In these events, many examples reported their achievements and recounted their anti-corruption journey with excitement and pride. But there were also examples that choked up in tears when recounting their achievements. Many examples of bravery in fighting corruption were due to their indignation at the act of appropriating State assets, violating collective interests, and violating citizens' rights. But there were also examples of bravery in confronting corrupt people to reclaim their legitimate rights. Regardless of the context of fighting corruption, denouncing acts of corruption is the most difficult first step. A petition denouncing corruption can lead to a major case, if handled strictly by law enforcement agencies, the denouncer will have a glorious victory. On the contrary, if there is a force protecting corrupt people, the complaint will be pushed aside and not resolved, and the person reporting corruption may be persecuted.
Rewarding those who have made outstanding achievements in denouncing corruption is very necessary and will bring about practical results. But for those who denounce corruption, what they need most is to be protected by justice. Their most ardent wish is for corrupt people to be severely punished before the law, for state assets to be recovered, for citizens’ rights to be protected, and for social justice to be guaranteed. That is the highest reward for those who denounce corruption.
Tran Hong Co