almanac on security sector oversight in the Western Balkans

Macedonia
through assistance to and reform of their parent ministries. However, in hindsight, one
has to say that the intelligence services have not internalised the principles of good
governance (see, for example, discussion on transparency and accountability below).
Table 1 – Competences of Oversight Bodies
President
The president is head of the Armed Forces. He/she is elected by the people for a five-year
term. The constitution enables the president to appoint the Chief of the General Staff of the
Macedonian Army. According to the constitution, all new laws require the president’s signature,
giving him/her veto powers.
Parliament
Parliament is the legislature and the actor with most control competences over the security
sector. The possibility to initiate, amend, pass and overturn legislation allows parliament to
intervene in the security sector. Separate committees that discuss the work of security actors
give parliament the opportunity to have detailed and substantive discussions about these
institutions, note and act upon irregularities, provide recommendations, etc. Currently there
are four committees tasked with overseeing the security sector.
Parliamentary Committees
• Committee on Defence and Security – entitled to follow Armed Forces and police, acting as
a parent committee on issues related to their functioning.
• Standing Inquiry Committee for the Protection of Civil Freedoms and Rights – the only
parliamentary body with an investigative role, acting as a parliamentary focal point where
citizens can lodge complaints about infringement of rights.
• Committee for Supervising the Work of the Security and Counter Intelligence Directorate
and the Intelligence Agency – responsible for overseeing the work of the Intelligence
Agency and the Directorate for Security and Counter Intelligence (DSCI) within the Ministry
of Interior. The work of this committee is of outmost importance because of the traditionally
closed work of the Intelligence Services. Moreover, the committee oversees the work
of the DSCI which has police authorizations, increasing the likelihood of a misuse of their
authorities without proper oversight.
• Committee for Supervision of the Application of Communication Interception Techniques
by MoI and MoD – the body overseeing the Ministries of Interior and Defence when it
comes to checking the legality of use of communication interception techniques by the two
institutions. It was created in 2008.
Constitutional Court
The Constitutional Court, part of the judiciary, is responsible for ensuring laws are constitutional.
Additionally, it has the right to investigate human rights violations and decide on
accountability of the president in case of constitutional violations.
State Audit Office
The State Audit Office (SAO) performs audits in accordance with yearly plans and checks
financial reports, determines irregularities in the work of institutions and issues recommendations
to avoid possible irregularities. Moreover it has the right to access classified data and
perform field visits.
Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is the central body responsible for investigating human rights violations.
He/she is entitled to oversee all three security actors and is selected by parliament for a eightyear
mandate giving him/her autonomy and independence from politics. In addition, the
Ombudsman can conduct field visits and access classified data.
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Almanac on Security Sector Oversight in the Western Balkans