The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog (London) published our post highlighting and commenting a recent judgment of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights on the legal protection of whistle-blowers. The case is about Mr. Halet who was convicted for leaking confidential documents in relation to the LuxLeaks scandal. In its judgment of 14 February 2023 the Grand Chamber finds a violation of the whistle-blower’s right of freedom of expression under Article 10 ECHR. The Grand Chamber holds that the public interest in leaking the data outweighed the detrimental effect of the leaks. The judgment emphasises the place now occupied by whistle‑blowers in democratic societies and their leading role by bringing to light information that is in the public interest. It illustrates how Article 10 ECHR has become the fundamental legal basis in support of “whistle-blowing for sustainable democracy” in Europe (link).

See: Case law, Strasbourg, Halet v. Luxembourg, LuxLeaks, Grand Chamber strengthens whistleblower protection, Inforrm’s Blog, The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog, London, 15 March 2023 (link)