Norwegian Parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Committee
Encyclopedia
The Norwegian Parliamentary Intelligence Oversight Committee , commonly known as the EOS Committee is the body responsible for supervising public intelligence, surveillance and security services. The body has seven members and is appointed by the Parliament of Norway. The oversight is aimed at the Norwegian Intelligence Service
(NIS), the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST), the National Security Authority (NSM) and the Norwegian Defence Security Service (NORDSS) —these are collectively known as the EOS-services. The committee also oversees intelligence, surveillance and security services that are organized through other public bodies.
The work is performed through inspections, both at head offices and at local units. The committee can also investigate matters reported by individuals or on their own initiative. The goal is to safeguard the public by retaining the services within the limits of the law. The committee is led by Helga Hernes
and also consists of Svein Grønnern, Trygve Harvold
, Gunhild Øyangen, Knut Hanselmann
, Theo Koritzinsky
and Wenche Elisabeth Arntzen. The committee fills an annual report to the parliament, but it is limited due to the amount of classified information that the committee handles. All the members have the highest levels of security clearance, both nationally and within NATO.
The committee was established in 1996, following the findings and subsequent public debate related to the Lund Commission. It had concluded that the Norwegian Police Security Service had been involved in extensive illegal political surveillance of left-winged organizations and individuals, in particular during 1960s and 70s. The establishment of an oversight committee dealt with a political wish to control the EOS-services and to ensure to not repeat past illegalities. The first committee was appointed in March 1996, and is directly under the parliament and not the government. The previous oversight committee had been appointed by the government, and did not have the mandate to oversee foreign intelligence activities.
Norwegian Intelligence Service
Etterretningstjenesten or the Norwegian Intelligence Service is a Norwegian military intelligence agency under the Chief of Defence and the Ministry of Defence....
(NIS), the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST), the National Security Authority (NSM) and the Norwegian Defence Security Service (NORDSS) —these are collectively known as the EOS-services. The committee also oversees intelligence, surveillance and security services that are organized through other public bodies.
The work is performed through inspections, both at head offices and at local units. The committee can also investigate matters reported by individuals or on their own initiative. The goal is to safeguard the public by retaining the services within the limits of the law. The committee is led by Helga Hernes
Helga Hernes
Helga Marie Hernes is a Norwegian political scientist, diplomat and politician for the Labour Party.-Early life and education:...
and also consists of Svein Grønnern, Trygve Harvold
Trygve Harvold
Trygve Harvold is a Norwegian civil servant.In 1981 he was hired as the managing director of Lovdata, a position he held until 1 September 2010. He was appointed a Knight, 1st Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 2000 for his work in Lovdata.From 2003 to 2011 he is a member of the...
, Gunhild Øyangen, Knut Hanselmann
Knut Hanselmann
Knut Hanselmann is a Norwegian politician for the Progress Party.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Hordaland in 1989, but was not re-elected in 1993. He had previously served in the position of deputy representative during the term 1981–1985.Hanselmann has been involved in...
, Theo Koritzinsky
Theo Koritzinsky
Theodor "Theo" Koritzinsky is a Norwegian academic and politician for the Socialist Left Party.He was chairman of the Socialist Youth League from 1965 to 1966. He later joined the Socialist Left Party, and was their chairman from 1983 to 1987...
and Wenche Elisabeth Arntzen. The committee fills an annual report to the parliament, but it is limited due to the amount of classified information that the committee handles. All the members have the highest levels of security clearance, both nationally and within NATO.
The committee was established in 1996, following the findings and subsequent public debate related to the Lund Commission. It had concluded that the Norwegian Police Security Service had been involved in extensive illegal political surveillance of left-winged organizations and individuals, in particular during 1960s and 70s. The establishment of an oversight committee dealt with a political wish to control the EOS-services and to ensure to not repeat past illegalities. The first committee was appointed in March 1996, and is directly under the parliament and not the government. The previous oversight committee had been appointed by the government, and did not have the mandate to oversee foreign intelligence activities.