Fox News: The United Nations at 70 – To Root Out Corruption, UN Needs Outside Intervention
In observance of the United Nations’ 70th anniversary, Fox News asked GAP Executive Director Bea Edwards to contribute her thoughts about the intergovernmental organization. Edwards explains that only whistleblowers have the ability to disclose misconduct at the U.N. but “the catch is they don’t get the protection provided by an impartial legal regime and must depend on the U.N.’s internal justice system to ensure their safety.” She details the case of a U.N. police officer in Haiti who was transferred and ultimately terminated after reporting that colleagues sexually abused women in a camp for the displaced – one case out of many showing that U.N. whistleblower retaliation remains a serious concern and prevents effective accountability.
Key Quote: As things stand, a whistleblower subjected to retaliatory firing waits three years for his or her case to wend its way through an administrative tribunal.
During those years, all filings are secret, so the truth about the original disclosure is buried until long after the fact. Whistleblowers may be blacklisted and unable to work in their field: they are without an income and professionally ruined.
Common Dreams: Student Loans are a Bridge to Nowhere
In his latest painting for the “Americans Who Tell the Truth” portrait series, artist Robert Shetterly spotlights student loan fraud whistleblower Jon Oberg, who is a featured speaker on GAP’s American Whistleblower Tour. Oberg discovered that billions of taxpayer dollars were being funneled back to banking companies through the Department of Education by means of a legislative loophole. Other whistleblowers Shetterly has featured in his series include GAP National Security & Human Rights Director Jesselyn Radack, NSA whistleblower Tom Drake, and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou.