Implementation is continuing on the Public Administration Anti-Corruption Programme, which was adopted by the Government in March, and for which the next stage is strengthening of protection for whistle-blowers. On Wednesday an expert forum is taking place in the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice entitled ’How Can We Break Down the Walls of Silence in Cases of Corruption?’ Representatives from Hungarian public administration and experts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are taking part and sharing their experience from Hungarian and international contexts.

Numerous Hungarian and international studies have highlighted the deficiencies in protection for whistle-blowers in Hungary, and therefore the aim of the workshop is that the participants make recommendations for directives on Hungarian regulation in the light of Hungarian and international practices and experience.

The essence of protection for whistle-blowers is that appropriate channels and protection should be provided for those who draw attention to abuses and inadequacies in the operation of any organisation. Whistle-blowers in the public sphere are not acting in their own interests, but in those of the public and of us all, and so they must be able to count on enhanced protection from possible reprisals.

In March the Government adopted the Public Administration Anti-Corruption Programme and also decided on measures necessary for its implementation. This is a significant move in the fight against corruption, as there has not been such a programme at government level since the political transition of 1989-90. The goal is to strengthen the state’s ability to combat corruption, and for that ability to attain a high level in public and state administration and governmental bodies. A public sphere should emerge in which the presence of corruption is recognised, condemned and eliminated. This will enable the strengthening of ethical values, through which public administration and its public services can provide an example to the private sphere, and thus be able to indirectly reduce corruption in the economy as a whole.

Several measures are linked to implementation of the programme. For example, in addition to the introduction of protection for whistle-blowers, training of public officials is to be launched, which will include an anti-corruption element. Hungary is planning to endorse the Open Government Declaration, which on 20th September 2011 was signed by the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway and five other states. This will further broaden joint anti-corruption activities with international organisations.

According to the agreement between the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice and the OECD, which is jointly participating in this work, the Ministry will conduct expert dialogue with international organisations in five areas – one of them being the fight against corruption. The advice provided by the OECD in the course of the programme will take account of good practice at international level, and thus aid the Government in implementation of the reforms.

(Prime Minister’s Office)