|
|
Antoine Deltour's support is going on!
|
|
In this second information letter of the Support Committee, find the latest news about Antoine Deltour, the LuxLeak case and whistleblowers' protection (in case you missed it, you can also read issue #1).
|
| July 10th, 2015 |
|
|
Antoine's situation
|
Antoine remains charged in Luxembourg and risks 5 years in prison and a fine of 1,250,000 €. The trial date is still unknown; it could happen before the end of the year.
|
|
|
|
You have initiated a new type of citizenship (…) by provoking a debate (…) which can serve the cause of general interest.
|
|
|
Alain Lamassoure
President of European Parliament's TAXE special committee
|
|
|
|
Recognition of the public interest of Antoine's action
|
TAXE special committee
On the 1st of June, Antoine was heard by European Parliament's TAXE special committee, which is responsible for looking into tax ruling practices in the EU. Members of the European Parliament have largely praised Antoine's courage.
The President of the TAXE committee Alain Lamassoure concluded the exchange with a strong message: “you have initiated a new type of citizenship, deciding to break the law, bearing the consequences of it and provoking a debate that, if we act well and if we do our job of elected representatives, can serve the cause of general interest”
|
European Citizen's Prize
Antoine is among the 47 winners of the European Citizen's Prize 2015! The Citizen's prize has been awarded annually since 2008; it distinguishes people and organizations that significantly contribute to the common values of the European Union.
This distinction is a strong symbolic gesture in light of Antoine's judicial situation. The award ceremony will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels, in October.
|
|
|
|
Towards more tax justice?
|
In recent weeks, Antoine participated to several conferences on tax justice issues. He was notably invited on June 26th to the symposium organized by the french Platform on Tax Havens in the premises of the French National Assembly. European Parliament's TAXE special committee, created in the wake of the LuxLeaks revelations, continues its investigations on tax practices of Member States, including tax rulings. The commission intends to make an inventory of tax practices in the European Union and will make recommendations by the end of the year. The European Commission continues to formulate proposals of tax reforms; it presented on June 17 an “Action Plan for Fair and Efficient Corporate Taxation in the EU”. The various proposed measures will however have to be unanimously endorsed by european Member States. NGOs mobilized on tax justice issues criticized the Commission for proposing “half mesaures” that generally “lack teeth”.
|
|
|
Whistleblower’s protection is still uncertain
|
Companies shouldn't decide what gets published!
The directive on trade secrets being developed in the European Parliament poses a serious threat to journalists and future whistleblowers. It triggered a strong mobilization: a petition launched by french journalist Élise Lucet and the collective "Informing is not a crime" has already collected more than 427,000 signatures! Amendments to the directive have been obtained. However, at present publishing information on companies remains an exception acceptable only if there is evidence that the information is in the public interest. If you have not already, please sign the petition!
|
Présidence de l'Union Européenne
Since July 1st, Luxembourg took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. On this occasion, Antoine Deltour's support committee reiterated in a press release (in french) the unacceptable nature of the judicial prosecutions against those involved in LuxLeaks revelations. Let's hope that the six-month Presidency will be an opportunity for the Luxembourg authorities to show that they genuinely want to put past practices to rest and turn the page!
|
|
|
|
They support Antoine…
|
|
Antoine keeps on receiving more and more public support! Among the new supporters:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supporting Antoine Deltour, means also to give more strength to our appeal against business secrecy!
|
|
|
Élise Lucet
In her call for support sent to signatories of the “Stop the trade secrets directive” petition.
|
|
|
|
Antoine needs you!
|
|
More than 55,000 of you have already signed the petition! To keep on supporting Antoine, you can:
Make a donation to finance Antoine’s defense, via the secured payment platform HelloAsso Join the Support Committee (5€ minimum fee). Follow us and share information about supporting Antoine on the Facebook page Support Antoine and the twitter handle @support_antoine Take any initiative to let people know about Antoine’s situation: through the local press, bulletins from associations or activists, speeches during debates or by organizing events… Feel free to contact the Support Committee to let them know about the initiatives or to prepare the actions. Urge your close relations and your social network to keep up with Antoine’s issue and to sign the petition via the support-antoine.org website
|
|
|
|
Today, it is important to fund Antoine's defense. You can donate to the Support committee via the secured platform HelloAsso :
|
|
|
|
|
|
You're receiving this newsletter because you expressed your support to Antoine or you subscribed on our web site.
|
Unsubscribe me
|
|
|
Photo credits:
"European Citizen's Prize medal" © European Parliament 2015 –
"Antoine Deltour at the TAXE committee" © European Parliament 2015 –
"Élise Lucet" © France Télévision/Cash Investigation 2015 –
"Xavier Better au Parlement européen" © eu2015lu.eu / Thierry Monasse 2015
|
|
