Review article
https://doi.org/10.5613/pol.27.1.2
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORKS AND MECHANISMS OF SUPERVISION OF SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS: COMPARISON OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA WITH THE USA, GREAT BRITAIN AND ISRAEL
Krešimir Margaletić
orcid.org/0009-0005-8424-6749
; Ministarstvo regionalnoga razvoja i fondova Europske unije
Abstract
This paper analyzes the legislative frameworks and mechanisms for monitoring security and intelligence systems in the Republic of Croatia, the United States of America (USA), Great Britain and Israel. The paper uses a descriptive-comparative method in order to identify the similarities and differences between the systems in these four countries and to present recommendations for improving the Croatian legislative framework governing the security-intelligence system. Emphasis is placed on the comparison of the legal regulation of the area of activity of the security-intelligence services, with special emphasis on the issues of supervision over the work of the security-intelligence services, transparency and the impact of these services on the rights and freedoms of citizens. The comparative analysis provides a deeper insight into the surveillance mechanisms that are implemented in different political and legal frameworks and suggests adjustments for the security and intelligence system of the Republic of Croatia. In relation to the Republic of Croatia, the importance of developing a legislative framework that enables effective supervision of the security-intelligence system, while simultaneously respecting fundamental human rights, was highlighted. The most important regulations are covered, such as the Law on the Security and Intelligence System of the Republic of Croatia, which regulates, among other things, the work of the civilian and military security and intelligence agencies, and the Law on Information Security. Supervision in the Republic of Croatia is carried out at several levels, including parliamentary, professional, civil and judicial supervision. Nevertheless, there are areas that require further improvements to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the work of security-intelligence agencies. The paper investigates how different legislative approaches affect the effectiveness of the protection of national security and the preservation of the rights and freedoms of citizens. Through a comparison with Great Britain, the USA and Israel, certain legal norms and practices are analyzed that enable transparency, but at the same time limit the rights of citizens when it comes to national security. For example, the British model allows for a high level of executive control over security-intelligence agencies, while Israel applies rigorous methods, including targeted killings in the interest of protecting national security, thereby reducing transparency and civilian oversight. A comparative analysis shows that the US has a complex security-intelligence system, especially after the attacks on “Gemini” on September 11, 2001, with an emphasis on interagency coordination, improving information sharing, and preventing terrorist threats. Great Britain has centralized parliamentary oversight, but with limited public influence on intelligence processes. On the other hand, Israel, which is constantly facing threats from abroad, applies strict security measures that are widely accepted by the Israeli public, despite reduced transparency and limited civilian oversight of intelligence operations. Based on the analysis, it is recommended to improve the legislative framework in the Republic of Croatia, including the establishment of an independent body for the supervision of security-intelligence agencies, which would have expanded powers in monitoring operational activities such as wiretapping and control over the financial operations of security-intelligence agencies. Such an independent body could contribute to greater public trust in the work of agencies and ensure additional protection of the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens. There is a crucial need to achieve a balance between national security and the protection of citizens’ privacy, and the analysis of best international practices provides guidelines for the further development and improvement of the security and intelligence system of the Republic of Croatia. The proposed recommendations are based on the best practices from USA, Great Britain and Israel, taking into account certain challenges that the Republic of Croatia is facing. The goal is to ensure that the Croatian security-intelligence system is effective in dealing with threats, and at the same time responsible and transparent towards its own citizens, while respecting basic human rights and freedoms. The continuous development of the Croatian legislative framework governing the security-intelligence system is an urgent need, given the contemporary challenges that affect the national security of the Republic of Croatia.
Keywords
security and intelligence systems; legislative framework; supervision; transparency; Republic of Croatia; USA; Great Britain and Israel
Hrčak ID:
322203
URI
Publication date:
15.2.2025.
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