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Publication
Os canais de denúncia nos municípios portugueses: realidades e dificuldades
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| 2.58 MB | Adobe PDF |
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Abstract(s)
As autarquias locais, pilares do Estado de Direito democrático, têm sido reconhecidas como particularmente suscetíveis a fenómenos de corrupção, tendo as suas ações e omissões um impacto direto na comunidade. Com a aprovação da Diretiva (UE) 2019/1937 do Parlamento Europeu e do Conselho de 23 de outubro de 2019, transposta em Portugal pela Lei n.º 93/2021, de 20 de dezembro, a qual estabeleceu o regime geral de proteção de denunciantes de infrações, as autarquias locais viram-se obrigadas à criação generalizada de canais de denúncia externa. Os municípios foram especialmente abrangidos por todo o escopo da legislação, encontrando-se, na sua maioria, igualmente adstritos à implementação de canais de denúncia interna face à sua dimensão demográfica e do quadro de pessoal.
Visando compreender o estado de implementação destes canais nos municípios portugueses, recolhemos dados nacionais que nos permitiram concluir sobre a efetividade da sua criação e sobre o recurso à partilha de canais de denúncia interna, bem como compreender quem são os responsáveis designados pelas denúncias. Embora se aferindo um cenário positivo onde a maioria dos municípios criou já os seus canais de denúncia externa e em que muitas destas autarquias optaram, sem a isso serem obrigadas, pela criação de canais de denúncia interna, foram detetados também aspetos menos positivos. Releva-se o facto de a maioria dos municípios não proceder a uma identificação completa dos responsáveis pelas denúncias, fragilizando a transparência municipal e incorrendo num risco acrescido de existência de conflitos de interesse. Estes responsáveis são maioritariamente dirigentes ou trabalhadores, colaborando em equipa, oriundos de diversas áreas funcionais, com predominância de profissionais das áreas jurídica, de proteção de dados e administrativa. Mais se concluiu por uma fraca adesão à partilha de canais de denúncia interna, com poucos municípios a adotar a referida prerrogativa.
A revisão de literatura e a análise dos dados permitiu concluir pela existência de fragilidades na implementação do RGPDI, aferindo-se uma necessidade urgente de densificar o regime, visando esclarecer as dúvidas e críticas apontadas pela doutrina, bem como providenciar a adequada sensibilização e formação às entidades e à comunidade em geral.
Local authorities, as pillars of the democratic rule of law, have been recognized as particularly susceptible to corruption, with their actions and omissions directly impacting the community. Following the approval of Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019, transposed in Portugal by Law No. 93/2021 of 20 December, which set up the general regime for the protection of whistleblowers, local authorities were required to establish widespread external reporting channels. Municipalities were particularly encompassed by the legislation, with most also required to implement internal reporting channels due to their demographic size and staffing levels. To assess the implementation of these channels in Portuguese municipalities, we collected national data that allowed us to conclude on their effectiveness and on the use of shared internal reporting channels, as well as to and to identify the designated whistleblowing officers. Although a positive scenario emerged, with most municipalities having established external reporting channels and many voluntarily creating internal ones, some less favorable aspects were also identified. Notably, most municipalities did not fully disclose the identities of the whistleblowing officers, undermining transparency and increasing the risk of conflicts of interest. These officers are primarily managers or employees working in teams across various functional areas, primarily in legal, data protection, and administrative fields. Furthermore, adherence to shared internal reporting channels was low, with few municipalities adopting this prerogative. The literature review and data analysis revealed weaknesses in the implementation of the General Regime for the Protection of Whistleblowers, highlighting an urgent need to strengthen the framework. This includes addressing the doubts and criticisms raised by scholars, as well as providing adequate awareness and training to the entities involved and the broader community.
Local authorities, as pillars of the democratic rule of law, have been recognized as particularly susceptible to corruption, with their actions and omissions directly impacting the community. Following the approval of Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019, transposed in Portugal by Law No. 93/2021 of 20 December, which set up the general regime for the protection of whistleblowers, local authorities were required to establish widespread external reporting channels. Municipalities were particularly encompassed by the legislation, with most also required to implement internal reporting channels due to their demographic size and staffing levels. To assess the implementation of these channels in Portuguese municipalities, we collected national data that allowed us to conclude on their effectiveness and on the use of shared internal reporting channels, as well as to and to identify the designated whistleblowing officers. Although a positive scenario emerged, with most municipalities having established external reporting channels and many voluntarily creating internal ones, some less favorable aspects were also identified. Notably, most municipalities did not fully disclose the identities of the whistleblowing officers, undermining transparency and increasing the risk of conflicts of interest. These officers are primarily managers or employees working in teams across various functional areas, primarily in legal, data protection, and administrative fields. Furthermore, adherence to shared internal reporting channels was low, with few municipalities adopting this prerogative. The literature review and data analysis revealed weaknesses in the implementation of the General Regime for the Protection of Whistleblowers, highlighting an urgent need to strengthen the framework. This includes addressing the doubts and criticisms raised by scholars, as well as providing adequate awareness and training to the entities involved and the broader community.
Description
Keywords
Corrupção Whistleblowing Proteção de denunciantes Municípios Portugal