Committee I


The Committee I, or the Standing Intelligence Agencies Review Committee, exercises external oversight over the Belgian State Security Service and the General Intelligence and Security Service and the Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis. It reports to the Belgian Federal Parliament, which appoints and dismisses its members.
The Committee I was founded in 1991 and began its work in 1994. It consists of three members, including a Chairperson, who are appointed for a term of five years by the Belgian Chamber of Representatives. This term may be renewed only once. Its members are chosen from among magistrates, senior police officials or persons with significant administrative or scientific experience, however, the Chairperson must be a magistrate. The Chairperson of the Committee I is currently Serge Lipszyc.

Oversight duties

The Committee I has several oversight responsibilities. The law grants the members of the Committee judicial powers to be able to conduct their investigations to the full: