National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia / Activities / Activity details
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
14th Sitting of the Security Services Control Committee
At the sitting held on 25 February, the Security Services Control Committee discussed the 2015 Activity Plan and the Proposal of the Report on supervisions conducted over the security services in 2014.
The Committee adopted, by majority vote, the 2015 Activity Plan which, among other things, plans for the Committee to conduct a two-day inspection of the Military Security Agency, Security Information Agency and Military Intelligence Agency headquarters.
The Committee members also adopted the Proposal of the Report on supervisions conducted over the security services in 2014. Reviewing the six-month activity reports on the security services, the Committee found all three of the security agencies of the Republic of Serbia to be operating in accordance with the law and within their authority and tasks. Also, all relevant findings, evaluations and analyses of the security challenges, risks and threats were conveyed to the relevant state authorities in due time.
In the course of their supervisory visits and inspections, the Committee members found no inaccuracies in the application of special procedures and measures for secret data collection. On the occasion, the security services proved very constructive and open, allowing the Committee members full insight into their documentation.
The Committee members believe that the existing legislation should be amended so that it could, in addition to the three security services, inspect the other state bodies and institutions that implement the special measures for the collection of confidential information that impinge on the civil rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, such as the Service for Combating Organised Crime at the Criminal Police Directorate of the Republic of Serbia Ministry of Interior.
The Committee finds it very important for national security to pass a Law on Information Security soon and draft a Cyber Security Strategy. The Committee deems it necessary to submit to the National Assembly for consideration and adoption a Bill on Information Security which would regulate the issue of information security of confidential data.
The Committee draws attention to the lack of precision in some regulations which to a great extent make it difficult for the security services to operate. Therefore, it is necessary to pass the appropriate by-laws needed for the conduction of the Law on Electronic Communication and ensure their full implementation. Also, in order to protect the identity of Military Intelligence Agency operatives, concordant with the need of their operative activities, they should be issued IDs according to special procedures.
The organisational structure of the Military Security Agency should be re-examined from the aspect of increased staff volume. State bodies and institutions should adapt their internal acts on job systematisation to include a security check of the degree of confidentiality for persons handling confidential data in any way.
Since the Law on the Bases of Security Services Organization is a lex specialis, the Committee believes that the National Assembly should provide an authentic interpretation of the provisions of articles 3, 15 and 16 of said Law, in accordance with the National Assembly Rules of Procedure, so as to specify the National Assembly’s place and role in the security services control system considering that for a long time now the public is being informed that the Ombudsman, Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection and even the State Audit Institution have the authority to fully inspect the work of the security services i.e. that their authority supersedes the authority of the National Assembly.
The Committee believes it necessary to pass a law on the import, production and trade in secret data collection tools and equipment. Because there is no such law, powerful domestic and foreign companies have unimpeded access to secret data collection equipment which intrudes on the civil rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and threatens the security of the country.
The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Momir Stojanovic.
The Committee members also adopted the Proposal of the Report on supervisions conducted over the security services in 2014. Reviewing the six-month activity reports on the security services, the Committee found all three of the security agencies of the Republic of Serbia to be operating in accordance with the law and within their authority and tasks. Also, all relevant findings, evaluations and analyses of the security challenges, risks and threats were conveyed to the relevant state authorities in due time.
In the course of their supervisory visits and inspections, the Committee members found no inaccuracies in the application of special procedures and measures for secret data collection. On the occasion, the security services proved very constructive and open, allowing the Committee members full insight into their documentation.
The Committee members believe that the existing legislation should be amended so that it could, in addition to the three security services, inspect the other state bodies and institutions that implement the special measures for the collection of confidential information that impinge on the civil rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, such as the Service for Combating Organised Crime at the Criminal Police Directorate of the Republic of Serbia Ministry of Interior.
The Committee finds it very important for national security to pass a Law on Information Security soon and draft a Cyber Security Strategy. The Committee deems it necessary to submit to the National Assembly for consideration and adoption a Bill on Information Security which would regulate the issue of information security of confidential data.
The Committee draws attention to the lack of precision in some regulations which to a great extent make it difficult for the security services to operate. Therefore, it is necessary to pass the appropriate by-laws needed for the conduction of the Law on Electronic Communication and ensure their full implementation. Also, in order to protect the identity of Military Intelligence Agency operatives, concordant with the need of their operative activities, they should be issued IDs according to special procedures.
The organisational structure of the Military Security Agency should be re-examined from the aspect of increased staff volume. State bodies and institutions should adapt their internal acts on job systematisation to include a security check of the degree of confidentiality for persons handling confidential data in any way.
Since the Law on the Bases of Security Services Organization is a lex specialis, the Committee believes that the National Assembly should provide an authentic interpretation of the provisions of articles 3, 15 and 16 of said Law, in accordance with the National Assembly Rules of Procedure, so as to specify the National Assembly’s place and role in the security services control system considering that for a long time now the public is being informed that the Ombudsman, Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection and even the State Audit Institution have the authority to fully inspect the work of the security services i.e. that their authority supersedes the authority of the National Assembly.
The Committee believes it necessary to pass a law on the import, production and trade in secret data collection tools and equipment. Because there is no such law, powerful domestic and foreign companies have unimpeded access to secret data collection equipment which intrudes on the civil rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and threatens the security of the country.
The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Momir Stojanovic.