Week 3
My third week at CEELI was very productive. I began researching the legal distinction between whistleblowers and witnesses in seven Eastern European countries. Comparing and contrasting each country’s definition and how individuals are protected in various circumstances, including civil versus criminal cases, was very interesting. In 2019, the European Commission created a Directive on whistleblower protections. Member States had two years to transpose it into their national laws. In practice, some countries already had protections requiring minor amendments, and others passed legislation to incorporate them, but unfortunately, most countries implemented the requirements inadequately. A few countries even failed to act. I also researched compensation for whistleblowers. Several U.S. laws offer whistleblowers (“relators”) a percentage of the money recovered by the government in qui tam lawsuits. However, the EU did not require compensation in the Directive, and no Eastern European country has passed compensation legislation on its own.
I also listened to a meeting about an upcoming event on universal jurisdiction. It was great to hear how events are proposed and gradually take shape. Meaningful conversations about funding and identifying potential speakers are crucial to attracting attention and participants to the Institute. Creating events on popular subjects is a delicate balance of generating interest without chasing the next topic.
This week, there was a staff training on security. Before the meeting, I was unsure what it would entail, but now I understand a few simple ways to increase personal and organizational security. The instructor discussed security measures related to communication among staff, social media, technology and passwords, hiring procedures, hotels, flights, and surveillance. It was enlightening how an organization can use everyday precautions like a clear desk policy, sharing information with only those who need to know, and incident reporting to minimize risks. Avoiding public USB outlets or public wifi for sensitive information might be inconvenient, but it is also a low-cost way to increase safety. Even avoiding posting on social media in real-time is a careful balance of promoting oneself but not getting unwanted attention during the event. For many individuals and organizations, the goal is to increase security on all fronts, from avoiding apps and websites that share user data to being able to detect if you are being surveilled.
I also spent the weekend enjoying Budapest, Hungary. I began with the Great Market Hall, which had tons of fresh produce, pastries, and meats. Then, I toured St. Stephen’s Basilica. I also took the funicular up Castle Hill to see Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Buda Castle, and a tour of the cave system. At sunset, I walked along the Danube Promenade to enjoy the view of the water and Castle Hill. The next day, I toured the Hungarian Parliament Building and spent a few hours at Gellert, a thermal bath and spa, before heading home. I am so fortunate that many great cities are easily accessible from Prague!
