– ACRC announced a legislative notice for partial amendments to the Act on the Protection of Public Interest Whistleblowers and the Act on the Prevention of Corruption and the Establishment and Operation of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, seeking to strengthen the protection and support for whistleblowers

(5, November. 2025, ACRC)

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Ryu Chul Whan) announced a 40-day legislative notice period from November 5 to December 15 for partial amendments to the Act on the Protection of Public Interest Whistleblowers and the Act on the Prevention of Corruption and the Establishment and Operation of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (the Anti-Corruption Act)

The purpose of these amendments is to enhance the uniformity of regulations related to the protection and support of public interest whistleblowers and those reporting corrupt acts, thereby increasing the level of protection for whistleblowers. Key elements are as follows

The proposed partial revisions to the”Act on the Protection of Public Interest Whistleblowers”include: clarifying the regulations pertaining to the cost support when internal public interest whistleblowers receive legal assistance for anonymous proxy reporting (Article 8-3(1) of the proposed revision bill); broadening the scope of protection applications to include scenarios where adverse actions are anticipated, not only when they have occurred (Article 17(1) of the proposed revision bill); and reducing grounds for dismissal of protection applications to strengthen the level of protection (Article 18(1) of the proposed revision bill).

Additionally, the revision bill introduced a temporary suspension of disadvantageous measures to prevent irreparable harm in advance (Article 22) and established penalties for non-compliance (Article 30(4)).

The proposed revisions to the Anti-Corruption Act include: establishing cost support regulations when internal whistleblowers receive legal aid for anonymous proxy reporting (Article 58-3); introducing an obligation to comply with committee demands for disciplinary action or violations of secrecy obligation (Articles 62-3(4) and 64(4)); and introducing checks on the implementation of protection measure decisions (Article 62-3(7)) to enhance whistleblower protection.

The amendments also add the cases where efforts to identify the whistleblower are made, or where interference, coercion for cancellation, or disadvantageous measures within two years after reporting exist to the list of grounds to presume that adverse actions have occurred (Article 63) and extend the applicable scope of personal safety measures and omission of personal details to include collaborators, relatives, and cohabitants (Articles 64-2(1) and 64-3).

Furthermore, the amendments prohibit damage claims against whistleblowers (Article 66(5)), nullify provisions prohibiting or restricting reporting (Article 66(6)), and extend the scope of protection to cases where reports are made to investigative agencies through complaints or tips, and reports made to the Board of Audit and Inspection (Article 67).

The ACRC plans to disclose the detailed content of these amendments on its website (www.acrc.go.kr) and widely gather public opinions for reflection during the 40-day legislative notice period.

Kim Eung Tae, Director General of the Inspection and Protection Bureau at the ACRC, stated, “These amendments aim to enhance the uniformity of the whistleblower protection and support system,” further adding that, “by strengthening the effectiveness of whistleblower protection, we hope to secure public trust in the corruption and public interest reporting system.”

• Wafaqi Mohtasib opens Asian Ombudsman Association Webinar on protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
• Underlines importance of mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of sustainable development.

Islamabad: 03 December, 2025 – The Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) and President of the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, has stated that discrimination against any person on the basis of disability is a violation of inherent dignity and worth of the human person. He underlined the importance of mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of relevant strategies for sustainable development.

He was inaugurating the Webinar on the role of ombudsman institutions in the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in the context of corporate responsibility, here today. The Webinar was held under the auspicious of Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA) coinciding with the UN designated International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is observed on 3^rd December every year. The Webinar was also addressed by Ms. Sabina Aliyeva, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan and presentations by two experts on various aspects of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted in December 2006.

Emphasizing the role of Ombudsman institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and good governance, Mr. Qureshi said that people are since the biggest stakeholders, their legitimate interests need to be protected. The business and industrial circles, therefore, should not lose sight of their corporate social responsibility while carrying out business related activities and remain watchful of the requirements of fairness, equality and non-discrimination on the basis of any disability.

The Webinar was attended, among others by a large number of human rights practitioners, academia and representatives of the civil society. The international participants included member institutions of the 47-member strong Asian Ombudsman Association from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Indonesia, Japan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan and others.

On November 20 and 21, 2025, the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, held a meeting with members of the Council of National Minorities and representatives of national minorities at the Public Defender’s Office.

The meeting discussed the problems facing national minorities, the report on the activities of the Public Defender’s Office, and the main findings of the Public Defender’s Office.

Representatives of the Public Defender’s Office spoke about the integration of national minorities and their participation in the decision-making process, as well as their access to education – challenges in the process of introducing bilingual education at the stage of early and preschool education, as well as general education. Attention was focused on the popularization of state language teaching, access to higher education, health care services and the media. The rights of prisoners representing national minorities were also discussed.

Within the framework of the meeting, members of the Council of National Minorities operating under the Public Defender and representatives of national minorities provided the Public Defender’s Office with information about the challenges facing national minorities and the views of representatives of national minorities.

The meeting was held within the framework of the European Union project “Support to the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia” (DAI).

JAKARTA, Indonesia, 20 November 2025 – In a significant step to strengthen bilateral ties, the human rights institutions of Timor-Leste and Indonesia have signed two pivotal cooperation agreements set for a two-year duration. The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice of Timor-Leste (PDHJ), represented by its Executive Secretary, Ambrosio Graciano Soares, and the National Commission on Human Rights of Indonesia (KOMNAS HAM), represented by its General Secretary, Henry Silka Innah, formalized the partnership. The first agreement focuses on the advancement and protection of the human rights of communities living along the shared Timor-Leste-Indonesia border. The second is dedicated to mutual capacity-building and institutional development to enhance both bodies’ effectiveness.

This signing ceremony, held at Le Méridien Hotel in Jakarta on November 20, 2025, marks the concrete implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the heads of the two institutions on November 20, 2023. The event was elevated by the presence of PDHJ Chairperson Virgilio da Silva Guterres, the Chairperson of KOMNAS HAM Anis Hidayah and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Indonesia, Roberto Soares, underscoring the strategic importance both nations place on this collaboration.

The newly activated agreements establish a robust framework for joint initiatives over the next two years, directly addressing the unique challenges faced by border communities while simultaneously fortifying the institutional prowess of PDHJ and KOMNAS HAM. This fixed term provides a clear timeline for achieving concrete outcomes, ensuring focused efforts to foster a cross-border culture of human rights and justice. The partnership sets a new standard for targeted, results-oriented regional cooperation in safeguarding fundamental freedoms.

The Ombudsman Institution introduced its new special report entitled “Strengthening Institutional Harmony in Combating Violence against Women: The Central Anatolia Example” on 26 November 2025. The event, hosted by the Chief Ombudsman of Türkiye, Mr. Mehmet Akarca, brought together senior government officials, parliamentary committee members, and members of the press. In his speech, Mr. Akarca underlined that violence against women is a serious human rights violation and emphasized the need for zero tolerance as well as coordinated institutional action. He highlighted that field visits were conducted across nine provinces and nearly 200 interviews were held in preparation for the report. Presenting the report, Ombudsperson Ms. Fatma Benli Yalçın, responsible for women’s and children’s rights, noted that the findings and recommendations aim to strengthen nationwide efforts and provide concrete solutions to enhance the effectiveness of combating violence against women.

The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab launched a comprehensive crackdown against overpricing, adulteration, and the sale of substandard or unsafe food items. A series of public complaints to the Ombudsman Office resulted in the immediate inspection across Punjab.

On the directives of the Ombudsman Office, Punjab Food Authority (PFA) conducted a detailed inspection on the quality and pricing of essential daily-use commodities, which revealed widespread violations, including inflated prices, compromised quality, and the sale of unhygienic products. The crackdown extended to hotels and restaurants operating under poor hygiene conditions. Rs. 8,650,000 fines were imposed, marking a significant action to promote consumer rights and public health.

These actions from the Ombudsman Punjab aim to ensure the availability of safe, hygienic, and fairly priced food items throughout Punjab.

Dili, 7 November 2025 – Provedor for Human Rights and Justice, Virgílio da Silva Guterres ‘Lame hosted a meeting with Eletricidade de Timor-Leste (EDTL) leadership, including Executive Commission President Paulo da Silva and his technical team, to discuss the findings from PDHJ’s recent surprise inspection of the electricity supply in Atauro, which currently operates for only 18 hours per day.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman briefed the EDTL President on a recent inspection visit by the Quadrilateral team, composed of PDHJ, CAC, CFP, and IJE, to the EDTL Atauro station. The team assessed electricity supply issues and highlighted the human rights perspective, emphasizing that all residents deserve continuous access to electricity, even though the current supply is limited to 18 hours daily.

Paulo da Silva explained that EDTL Atauro operates three diesel generators with a total capacity of 3.6 MW. One generator produces 1.2 MW, while the other two are older units installed in 2007–2008, and have reached the end of their designed operational lifespan. Therefore, continuous 24-hour electricity supply is not feasible with the current equipment.

Fuel storage capacity is also limited. Although the station can hold 65 tons of diesel, this is sufficient for only 30–31 days of operation, further restricting continuous electricity provision. Despite these constraints, electricity supply has improved from the initial 12 hours to 18 hours per day, marking significant progress, though the risk of sudden generator failure remains.

To address long-term supply, EDTL is collaborating with Australian consultants from the Northern Territory on a feasibility study to install a 2–3 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) system with battery energy storage, integrated with the existing diesel generators to create a hybrid system capable of achieving 24-hour electricity supply. The tendering process is expected in the coming months, with project completion targeted for December 2026 or January 2027.

Paulo also noted that local residents often request extended electricity hours during important events or gatherings. EDTL accommodates these requests whenever possible, but it requires careful operational planning and additional resources.

EDTL emphasized that long-term financial sustainability remains a challenge. Electricity tariffs alone do not fully cover operational and maintenance costs. Currently, three remote villages rely on standalone solar PV systems due to access limitations, and plans are underway to expand solar infrastructure to additional areas once land becomes available.

Overall, EDTL continues to strive to improve electricity access in Atauro, aiming for a reliable 24-hour supply while balancing technical, operational, and financial constraints.

Chief Ombudsman of Türkiye, Mr. Mehmet Akarca, paid a visit to Belgrade upon the invitation of the Protector of Citizens (Ombudsman) of Serbia, Mr. Zoran Pašalić, to participate in the International Scientific Conference titled “Protector of Citizens – First Twenty Years” on 13-14 November 2025.

Mr. Akarca delivered a speech during the first panel, “Institutional Guarantees of the Ombudsman’s Independence.” In his address, he emphasized the importance of the Paris Principles and the Venice Principles as key international standards designed to ensure that Ombudsman institutions operate independently, impartially, and effectively. He outlined the essential qualifications required to safeguard the independence of Ombudspersons, and provided information about the structure and functioning of the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye in this context.

The President of the General Inspection Organization attended the meeting of the Qom Province Industrial Parks Working Group, where he listened to the concerns raised by economic actors and examined the challenges and barriers they face.

According to the Public Relations Office of the General Inspection Organization, during the Judiciary Chief’s trip to the holy city of Qom, The President of the General Inspection Organization participated in the session of the provincial Industrial Parks Working Group, hearing the views of producers and industrial investors and reviewing the existing problems and constraints. After listening to the statements of manufacturers and investors, Dr. Khodaeiyan emphasized the need to support production. Highlighting Qom Province’s strong potential for investment, he noted that provincial managers and officials must be eager to welcome investors and, through interagency coordination, enable them to reach their desired product or service with maximum speed so that the wheels of industry turn more rapidly. Dr. Khodaeiyan, outlining the judiciary’s initiatives in supporting production, stated that within the General Inspection Organization, the Directorate-General for Investment Support is tasked with assisting industrialists and producers. He also noted that a headquarters dedicated to supporting the national motto of the year has been established within the organization, adding: “We are obliged to support you, the industrial actors.” The President of the General Inspection Organization called on all producers to submit their concerns to the organization through the 136 hotline and online portal, stressing that their requests will be addressed promptly both at the national level and within the province. After hearing the issues raised by Qom’s manufacturers, Dr. Khodaeiyan instructed the Provincial Chief Inspector to form a specialized working group with the participation of provincial managers to address the concerns presented and remove the obstacles standing in the way of economic actors.

At the initiative of Azerbaijani Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva and in partnership with the United Nations, a roundtable was convened in Baku to discuss “Enhancing collaboration in the development of a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.”

The event brought together staff from the Ombudsman’s Office, representatives of relevant government agencies, business organizations, and civil society organizations.

During the opening remarks, Head of the Office Aydın Safikhanlı highlighted that the State has been taking consistent steps to create effective legislation and institutional mechanisms to support business development and entrepreneurship, while also improving the business environment.

The Head of the Office emphasized that Azerbaijan attaches particular importance to the implementation of the “UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”.

Furthermore, comprehensive information was provided about the activities of the Azerbaijani Ombudsperson in the field of business and human rights, including the trainings organized to raise awareness and exchange experiences in this area.

Mr. Safikhanli also noted that the Ombudsman’s annual reports include recommendations regarding how to prepare a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

Then, Zaur Valimammadli, Head of the Department of Cooperation with International and Civil Society Organizations at the Office of Ombudsperson, made a presentation on “International Experience in Business and Human Rights and the Preparation of a National Baseline Assessment.” During his speech, the speaker spoke about the UN Guiding Principles, international practice in the field of the development of the relevant NAP, as well as the work carried out by the Azerbaijani Ombudsperson. He also reported on the process of preparation of a national baseline assessment on business and human rights, emphasizing that it is important for studying international experience in shaping effective national-level mechanisms.

The event was concluded with discussions in which participants shared their recommendations and changed their views on the NAP on Business and Human Rights to be developed.