Parliamentary Oversight of Implementation of Special Investigative Measures in Serbia Cover Image

Parliamentary Oversight of Implementation of Special Investigative Measures in Serbia
Parliamentary Oversight of Implementation of Special Investigative Measures in Serbia

Author(s): Katarina Đokić
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Civil Society, Governance, Security and defense, Military policy
Published by: BCBP Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku
Keywords: Special investigative measures; security; Security Information Agency; BIA; Military Security Agency; MSA
Summary/Abstract: Special investigative measures (SIM) are measures covertly applied by state institutions (foremost security institutions), which inherently constrict the degree to which citizens enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed rights. These fundamental traits of SIM mean that uncontrolled implementation may lead to undue violation of human rights, abuse of power, and it may unnecessarily cost taxpayers significant amounts of money. These risks are not purely “theoretical”. In recent years, there were several scandals in Serbia involving the use of SIM. In 2012 and 2013 the public was shaken by media reports of phone tapping of high state officials. In early 2014, former deputy head of the Police unit responsible for SIM implementation was arrested for having leaked information to an organised criminal group on measures implemented against its members. Apart from these scandals, there are also indications that SIM are amply implemented by institutions. For instance, one mobile operator reported that public institutions made 270,000 accesses to retained electronic data of its customers within one year.1 All of this suggests there is a need for strengthening external oversight, which is essential for increasing the accountability of state actors implementing SIM. Strengthening external oversight is also in the best interest of security institutions, as it helps demystify their work and enhance public trust towards these institutions.

  • Page Count: 21
  • Publication Year: 2014
  • Language: English
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