The Human Rights Law Centre has become a member of the Whistleblowing International Network (WIN), the global peak body for whistleblower protection organisations.
In early July, WIN’s membership committee unanimously endorsed the Human Rights Law Centre’s membership application.
The Human Rights Law Centre has a long history advocating for stronger whistleblower protections in Australia, and is recognised as a leading source of policy expertise in the field. In August, the Centre is launching the Whistleblower Project – a landmark, Australia-first legal service to protect and empower whistleblowers.
Established in 2018, WIN is the global membership network and information hub for the whistleblower protection community, with members in more than 25 countries. WIN’s membership includes non-profit organisations that provide access to free legal advice and support to whistleblowers. WIN’s members share expertise and collaborate with those working to protect whistleblowers.
The African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) is an associate member of WIN. Associate organisations of WIN are vital to protecting whistleblowers and advancing their disclosures around the world. They work as independent journalists, academics, advocates, and campaigners. These organisations fight for the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly; they research the issues, investigate disclosures, advocate policy change and campaign on whistleblower cases and rights. These organisations understand that protecting whistleblowers is essential to the public’s right to know and access to information.
According to Kieran Pender, Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, “By exposing human rights abuses, government wrongdoing and corporate misconduct, whistleblowers make Australia a better place. The Human Rights Law Centre’s Whistleblower Project will enable us to protect and empower whistleblowers – and we have benefited immensely from the global expertise of the Whistleblowing International Network in preparing the project.”
Anna Myers, Executive Director of the Whistleblowing International Network, said “Protecting whistleblowers helps ensure the free flow of information for the responsible exercise of authority. Yet global experience has shown that even the best whistleblowing laws on paper do not work in practice without sustained effort from civil society. We are delighted to welcome the Human Rights Law Centre to our membership and are proud to have assisted the Centre in the formation of their Whistleblower Project – which will be a huge boost for Australia’s whistleblowers.”
