Corruption is a crime with far-reaching consequences, and yet most incidents of corruption go unreported and undetected. A primary reason for people’s reluctance to report is the impression that authorities will not take their report seriously and that nothing will be done. Other reasons for this reluctance include the lack of awareness of available reporting mechanisms and the fear of retaliation. As multiple surveys suggest that less than 10 per cent of corruption incidents are
reported,* States parties are urgently required to address those obstacles, to strengthen the effective response to reports of corruption and to protect those persons who come forward.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption contains relevant provisions laying the groundwork for such initiatives, which are set out and explained in detail throughout this Guide. The Guide explains why encouraging and protecting those persons who report information about alleged cases of corrupt conduct are a key element in tackling corruption. It is intended to serve as a resource for States parties in implementing their obligations under the Convention in relation to assisting and protecting persons, whether members of the public or “whistleblowers”—typically understood to be persons working within an organization (public or private) or industry where wrongdoing is occurring. Taking a robust approach to this issue as a matter of law, policy and to protect the public interest will help States, authorities and organizations in all sectors detect and prosecute wrong-doers and, importantly, help prevent corruption from taking root in the first place.

The objectives of this Guide are to help States parties and other national actors identify what legal and institutional reforms may be needed to meet international requirements; to identify the resources and support available for this task; and to highlight those matters that will need to be continuously reviewed in light of new challenges that may arise. National examples of law and practice used throughout the Guide are intended to help.

States parties and others to recognize distinctive features of their own legislative and institutional frameworks on which the protection of reporting persons can be built, as well as those elements that may work against it. As the protection of reporting persons is a rapidly evolving field, this Guide also directs readers to a number of resources that can serve as ongoing sources of information and updates.