DOCUMENTARY / INTELLIGENCE SERVICES UNDER SCRUTINY: HOW TRANSPARENT IS NORTH MACEDONIA’S SECURITY SECTOR?

The walls of secrecy surrounding the security sector have been built in the name of national security. Public access to information has long been restricted to prevent potential threats. This was particularly evident during the Cold War. In the 1990s, as the Soviet Union collapsed and democratic waves spread globally, some of these barriers fell. This period saw the exposure of numerous scandals previously hidden from public scrutiny.

Oversight of the security sector is crucial

Metodi Hadzhi-Janev, a security expert and university professor engaged by DCAF, conducts training and workshops for civil society organizations and the media. His goal is to promote effective civilian oversight of intelligence and security services. He is also part of C3I, an organization that has developed indicators to assess the performance of intelligence services, focusing on transparency, accountability, and effectiveness.

“In democratic states, oversight of the security sector is essential because it wields immense power—unmatched by any other institution. To prevent abuses, oversight mechanisms must function as correctives to ensure these services operate within legal and ethical boundaries,” Hadzhi-Janev said.

Abuses within security agencies have underscored the need for stronger oversight, making this issue a fundamental prerequisite for normal state functioning. However, implementing effective oversight remains a significant challenge.

“Obstacles to oversight vary between societies and often reflect cultural, historical, or political factors,” Hadzhi-Janev noted.

Legal framework needed to regulate intelligence services

North Macedonia’s security sector has undergone several reforms aimed at establishing a democratic framework and safeguarding citizens’ rights. Current legislation provides a foundation for better oversight and transparency, but continuous and inclusive reforms are necessary.

“A legal framework is essential for intelligence oversight. While the existing laws are not inherently flawed, their enforcement is problematic. Obtaining security clearances is exceptionally difficult, even for those authorized to conduct oversight. Additionally, intelligence personnel must be educated on their accountability and the necessity of external scrutiny,” said Iskra Koroveshovska, editor at TV Alfa.

Despite progress, North Macedonia’s security sector remains largely opaque—similar to other countries where national security often takes precedence over human rights.

“Our intelligence services have some level of openness—they maintain websites, publish annual reports, and engage with the public to some extent. The Intelligence Agency, for instance, provides insights into its activities. However, compared to the UK’s MI5 and MI6, which operate with greater transparency and public engagement, North Macedonia still lags behind,” said Aleksandar Stojanovski, an author of a study on the transparency and accountability of intelligence services in the UK, Slovenia, and North Macedonia, conducted under DCAF’s intelligence sector reform program.

Effective oversight is key to greater transparency and accountability

Without robust oversight, secrecy within the security sector can become problematic, particularly amid global conflicts that heighten security threats. Effective oversight is crucial for enhancing transparency and accountability, but it requires concrete steps.

“First, awareness must be raised, followed by capacity-building efforts. Public debate should highlight why transparency matters and how it benefits national security,” Hadzhi-Janev said.

Stojanovski emphasized that “media outlets possess some capacity to monitor intelligence services, but this must be expanded. Civil society organizations, meanwhile, remain limited in this field.”

While parliament and the government play vital roles in oversight, civil society and the media are equally crucial for independent monitoring. Transparency requires openness and access, while accountability demands mechanisms for responsibility.

“These indicators are the result of extensive research, including workshops and analysis. They help improve transparency, reduce public skepticism, and ensure intelligence services operate efficiently,” Hadzhi-Janev added.

The effectiveness of civilian oversight depends on the capacity of media and non-governmental organizations. In North Macedonia, few media outlets have the resources for in-depth investigative reporting, while civil society organizations lack the necessary specialization.

One of the participants in these training programs, Koroveshovska, remarked: “Media oversight capacity is minimal. After 20 years in journalism, I only recently learned—through DCAF training—how to cover intelligence services effectively. This highlights the significant gap in journalists trained for this field.”

(This documentary was produced in April 2024)