Tasks and powers of the CTIVD
The Review Committee on the Intelligence and Security Services (CTIVD) was founded in 2002. From 1 May 2018, the CTIVD comprises two departments: the Oversight Department and the Complaints Handling Department.
The Oversight Department has the following tasks:
- conducting investigations and reporting in public review reports; and
- issuing solicited and unsolicited advice to the Ministers involved about its conclusion.
The Complaints Handling Department is charged with the following:
- investigating and issuing a decision on complaints; and
- investigating and issuing a decision on a report of alleged misconduct.
The CTIVD publishes an annual report of its work.
The CTIVD has far-reaching powers to conduct its legal tasks. It has direct access to all relevant information and systems of the AIVD and the MIVD. The staff of these services are obliged to answer any questions put to them by the CTIVD. The Review Committee may also hold hearings with staff under oath. The Review Committee may also access certain places. In addition, it can assign work to experts if this is necessary to perform the work properly.
What the CTIVD does not do
Assessing the work of the AIVD and the MIVD on efficiency is not part of the CTIVD’s tasks. The key point of efficiency is whether the goals established as part of policy are being achieved in an effective way. For example, this includes the question: “Does the AIVD adequately conduct investigations into threats to national security?”