Candidate for intelligence oversight: agencies must uphold rule of law

Intelligence agencies must operate under the principle of the rule of law, even amid geopolitical challenges, according to Vytautas Valentinavičius, a candidate for Lithuania’s intelligence oversight role, as reported by BNS.

Valentinavičius stated that while the state needs strong and effective intelligence institutions to identify threats and protect national independence, democracy, and sovereignty, their powers must remain proportionate, legally grounded, and subject to independent oversight.

“The institution of intelligence oversight is not an obstacle to intelligence work—on the contrary, a professional and independent oversight body strengthens both the agencies and public trust in them,” he said.

He emphasized that national security and human rights must be balanced through legal supremacy, clear mandates, institutional checks, and consistent supervision. Valentinavičius, who has a decade of experience in the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office, including the first-ever review of intelligence agencies, outlined five priorities if appointed: strengthening risk-based oversight, enhancing data protection assessments, improving prevention, clarifying the legal framework for oversight, and boosting public confidence.

Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, presenting the candidate, noted that the role requires not only professional expertise but also a deep understanding of state governance, democratic oversight, and the balance between human rights and national security. Olekas highlighted Valentinavičius’s extensive work in human rights protection, public administration oversight, and institutional accountability, including his direct involvement in establishing Lithuania’s intelligence oversight framework.

Valentinavičius, a researcher at Kaunas University of Technology specializing in communication, information, and political science, was delegated to the State Progress Council earlier this year. He previously served as an advisor in the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office.