Unveiling the Hidden Narratives of Western Whistle-blowers and the Shroud of Secrecy

In the tapestry of the Western world, woven with threads of democracy and liberalism, a domain frequently marginalised are the untold stories of Western whistle-blowers. This oversight becomes particularly evident as the spotlight of mainstream media leans towards narratives of whistle-blowers from supposedly ‘oppressive, backward, and underdeveloped’ countries, perpetuating narratives steeped in colonial biases in order to obscure stories stemming from Western corridors.

In the labyrinth of whistle-blowing narratives, the case of Kathryn Bolkovac stands as a testimony, challenging the revered image of institutions dedicated to upholding human rights. Bolkovac’s whistle-blowing case unfolded in post-war Bosnia during the 1990s. Embarking initially as a private military contractor at DynCorp International, Bolkovac found herself immersed in a crucial mission. DynCorp International had a contract to support the UN peacekeeping mission in Bosnia at the time, where she was assigned as a human rights researcher specialising in violence against women. She unearthed evidence of UN personnel facilitating and taking part in sex trafficking, forced prostitution, and corruption in post-war Bosnia,[i] exposing the dark underbelly of international peacekeeping.

Shedding light on the complexities of whistle-blowing within powerful institutions, such as the UN, prompts a broader reflection on the intricate dynamics that underpin the pursuit of justice within the Western narrative and our collective consciousness. The UN emerges as a pivotal symbol often revered as the global custodian of human rights and a beacon for ethical standards. Regarded by many as a moral compass, the UN sets a universal standard, a bible guiding the international community toward a world of justice and dignity. This perception, however, collides with the stark reality exposed by Bolkovac, revealing that even the supposed paradigm of human rights is not immune to ethical lapses and internal contradictions. The dichotomy between the UN’s revered image and the concealed transgressions within its walls forces us to question the broader implications of the ‘Western standard.’

The media’s tendency to spotlight whistle-blower cases from countries perceived as ‘backwards’ reinforces a halo effect around the Western standard. By disproportionately emphasising incidents in these nations, the Western perspective implies that human rights violations and ethical breaches are exclusive to regions outside its borders. In response, the media amplifies cases like that of Afzal Kohistani, diverting attention from potential whistle-blowing instances within Western corridors, such as that of Bolkovac and the UN.

The Kohistani case revolves around the courageous actions of Afzal Kohistani, who exposed a brutal honour killing in the Kohistan district of Pakistan.[ii] Following the emergence of a video circulated online in May 2012 depicting four women singing and clapping to two young men dancing,[iii] the village elders perceived the celebration as a violation of stringent tribal customs, in which communication between men and women outside of customary wedlock, is considered a breach of the honour. “The woman’s family must first kill her and then the man.”[iv] Consequently, the jirga issued a fatwa for the individuals in the video and their families to be executed, deeming their actions dishonourable. Kohistani, the brother of two men implicated in the video, fearlessly spoke out despite the dangers. He demanded protection and accountability, insisting that those responsible for the killings of the women, including those seeking the deaths of his brothers, be held accountable for their actions. Despite facing threats to his life, Kohistani pursued justice, resulting in a court case in 2018 where the perpetrators received life sentences.[v] However, Kohistani tragically, in 2019, was shot dead,[vi] highlighting the risks faced by individuals who challenge deeply ingrained cultural practices and seek justice in societies where such practices are entrenched.

While cases like that of Kohistani deserve attention and condemnation for the atrocities committed, it’s essential to recognise how the Western perspective utilises such cases but also often demonises men from other nations to perpetuate a narrative of Western superiority through the language of the language implemented by the white man.. While honour killings are undoubtedly horrific, the disproportionate emphasis on cases like Kohistan’s in comparison to Bolkovac’s transmits to “older traditions of patriarchy that valorise unequal treatment of race, gender, class and culture.”[vii] This selective focus not only perpetuates stereotypes about non-western countries but also creates an illusion of superiority surrounding Western standards of governance and ethics. By consistently highlighting whistle-blower cases from nations perceived through the Western gaze as ‘backward,’ the media perpetuates a false consensus of universalism relating to human rights through the enforcement of stereotypes and reinforces a colonial perspective that diminishes the complexities of whistle-blower cases within Western societies. This narrative not only displays notions of Western superiority and exceptionalism but also marginalises dissent within Western corridors. Whistle-blower cases within a colonial framework downplay the significance of these narratives, fostering a false dichotomy between the West and the global south.

As societies strive for transparency and accountability, it becomes imperative to dismantle the shroud of secrecy surrounding Western whistle-blowers. This exploration prompts observation on acknowledging those who ‘disrupt’ established norms, the motives behind concealing their accounts, and the broader implications for the perception of Western societies and their democratic ideals. Through a comprehensive exploration of Western whistle-blowers, we can pave the way for a more nuanced understanding of the complexities beneath the surface of the West's ‘progressive image.’

Bibliography

[i] K.Bolkovac & C. Lynn, The Whistleblower: Sex Trafficking, Military Contractors, and One Woman’s Fight for Justice, Palgrave, 2011

[ii] A. Hashim, How a Pakistani whistle-blower was killed for ‘honour’, Aljazeera 2019. (Online) Available from: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2019/3/26/how-a-pakistani-whistle-blower-was-killed-for-honour 

[iii] S. Obaid-Chinoy, Honor Killings in Pakistan: The Kohistan Case, Vice Asia 2016. (Online) Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwqOTXRZR7g&t=140s 

[iv] M.I. Khan, Kohistan ‘honour’ killing: Pakistaiini woman Rukhsana Bibi relives horror, BBC News 2014. (Online) Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24540073

[v] BBC News, Kohistan video murders: Three guilty in ‘honour killing’ blood feud, BBC News 2019. (Online) Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-49592540 

[vi] BBC News, Afzal Kohistani: ‘Honour killing’ whistleblower shot dead, BBC News 2019. (Online) Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-47480597 

[vii] A.M. Angathangelou & L.H.M. Ling, ‘Desire Industries: Sex Trafficking, UN Peacekeeping, and the Neo-Liberal World Order,’ The Brown Journal of World Affairs, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2003