The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has recently, by adopting the Resolution on Protection of „Whistle Blowers“ (insiders, or as they are more frequently called „vigilantes“), invited all members to retest their criminal, labor-legal and media regulations and to secure protection to the people who due to public interest and opposing criminal and corruption come into clash with (in)formal rules on „secrets“ and therefore suffer unpleasant consequences.
We have, even without invitation, lots of reasons to take care of such people. In relation to that, I shall quote “five light cases”, as I ironically call the group of cases in which the orders of the Commissioner have faced violent resistance and have been implemented with huge problems. The list could be longer, but there is no need for that for illustration purpose.
1-“Road mafia”, the case has also won its court epilogue, some 50-ish imprisonments. The “vigilante” has been fired. 2-Procurement of “motley“ trains. We are just waiting for the court epilogue. “Vigilante“ also remained jobless. 3-Kragujevac Ombudsman and information on enormous number of employees in town administration. The “Vigilante” has been relieved from his function. 4-“Military secret”. “Secret” information that revealed that the ex-General Staff has besides else, performed criminal acts and infringed on human rights. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the “vigilante”. The procedure is not active, but it also hasn’t been suspended. 5-Home of Pupils in Belgrade. The case remained without a court epilogue. The managers have been replaced, and the pupils have been returned money illegally taken from them, but the „vigilante”, although an excellent pupil has been deprived of his scholarship.
This shouldn’t happen. Readiness for opposing criminal and corruption by pointing out to specific examples in one’s environment is based on courage and determination of individuals. It is good that there are such people, but it is necessary to have more of them, that the things they talk about are loudly heard, and not to be accompanied with dangers for their existence and the existence of their families. Good results in fight against corruption are not possible if for a „small“ person silence about it is the only safe alternative.
