04/04/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 3 April, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted a report on the protection of whistleblowers at local and regional level, which had been prepared by Josan Meijers (Social Democrat, the Netherlands). It encourages the establishment of local and regional ombudsmen to supervise the disclosure of information. In particular, the report calls for the option to make anonymous reports, and for preventive protection for persons exposed to reprisals. It also calls for protection to cover former employees and private sector persons who are involved in the provision of local and regional public services. In general, the report suggests support be put in place for national associations of local and regional authorities in order to coordinate and harmonise the protection of whistleblowers. To view the report, please visit: https://bit.ly/2K8BpJR (PH)