Workshop discusses ‘Whistleblower Protection in Anti-Corruption Law’

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Institute for Judicial Studies (KIJS) on Wednesday organized a regional workshop under the title “Protection of Whistleblowers in Anti-Corruption Law,” held under the patronage of Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of the workshop, KIJS Director Hani Al-Hamdan said the institute has signed a number of agreements and treaties, including one with NAUSS, to host vital training programs addressing key legal challenges such as whistleblower protection. He noted that the two-day workshop, held at KIJS headquarters, is part of the institute’s annual agenda to foster the exchange of expertise and insights among legal professionals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other Arab countries.

Al-Hamdan highlighted that the workshop serves as a regional platform to share legal and institutional perspectives on a pivotal issue in the fight against corruption. He stressed the importance of discussing whistleblower protection mechanisms within Kuwait’s legal system and in comparison with similar regional frameworks. The event brings together legal experts, scholars, and specialists to explore methods of shielding whistleblowers from administrative retaliation, ensuring confidentiality, and developing unified concepts to strengthen anti-corruption efforts.

Director of the Kuwait Institute for Judicial Studies, Hani Al-Hamdan

President of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Dr. Abdulmajeed Al-Bunyan

For his part, President of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences Dr Abdulmajeed Al-Benyan said the workshop represents an important step in reinforcing Arab cooperation in justice, law enforcement, and combating corruption and economic crimes. NAUSS, he noted, operates as the scientific arm of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. Dr Al-Benyan underscored the link between corruption and national security, emphasizing that national progress is dependent on strong law enforcement bodies equipped with legal tools to counter corruption effectively. He expressed appreciation to Justice Minister Al-Sumait for his sponsorship of the event, and extended his gratitude to KIJS for its organization and to the people of Kuwait for their warm hospitality.

The workshop aims to raise awareness of the legal importance of whistleblower protection and their role in uncovering corruption. Key objectives include exploring relevant legal frameworks, promoting inter-agency coordination, and encouraging cooperation with civil society organizations. Topics addressed during the workshop include the concept and process of reporting corruption, legal protections and obligations for whistleblowers, the use of digital platforms to facilitate reporting, institutional roles in protection, and challenges faced by whistleblowers. — KUNA