Lithuanian parliament committee backs Valentinavičius for intelligence watchdog role

The Lithuanian parliament’s National Security and Defence Committee (NSGK) has endorsed Vytautas Valentinavičius as a candidate for the position of intelligence controller, LRT reports.

Two committee members, conservative Ingrida Šimonytė and Vytautas Sinica of the National Union party, abstained from the vote.

During the hearing, Valentinavičius emphasised that human rights and national security should be treated as equally important and non-competing priorities. Sinica expressed scepticism, citing past cases—particularly in 2021—where intelligence controllers reviewed Lithuania’s decision to push back migrants at the border.

“It’s very likely these issues will resurface now that the Migration Pact is in force, which, as far as I understand, prohibits pushbacks. This creates a grey zone for our border guards. How do you see this situation? Can Lithuania continue pushbacks in your expert opinion? And if not, how do we balance security interests against human rights?” Sinica asked.

Valentinavičius responded that Europe has yet to find a way to ensure sovereign national security, allowing states to protect their borders. He noted that the migration crisis demonstrated the need for measures beyond a purely human rights-based approach, though he acknowledged the EU’s role in addressing the situation.

“Even today, I still do not see a European-level standard that would guarantee sovereignty and national protection against instrumentalised migration,” he said.

Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas presented Valentinavičius’s candidacy to lawmakers on Thursday. A public policy expert and researcher at Kaunas University of Technology, Valentinavičius has highlighted priorities such as risk-based intelligence oversight, data protection, preventive control functions, clearer legal regulation, and increasing public trust.

He previously served as a senior advisor and later head of the Human Rights Division at the Seimas Controllers’ Institution from 2014 to 2024. In February, he was delegated to the State Progress Council.

The Intelligence Controller institution was established by the Seimas in December 2021. The law provides for two intelligence controllers, whose candidates are nominated by the parliament speaker. The first controller, Nortautas Statkus, took office in April 2022.

The intelligence controller oversees the legality of intelligence agencies’ operations, assesses the justification and legality of their methods, investigates potential human rights violations, and reviews the lawfulness of personal data processing. The role also includes examining complaints from intelligence officers, providing recommendations to intelligence institutions, and referring suspected criminal offences to pre-trial investigation bodies or prosecutors.