International cooperation between oversight bodies

Increased international cooperation between intelligence services poses challenges to national oversight authorities. That’s why the oversight bodies of six European countries (Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and Switzerland) are working together to develop plans to minimise the risk of gaps appearing in these review services. In December 2019, this collaboration was named the Intelligence Oversight Working Group (IOWG) and was set out in a Charter.

In October 2022, two Swedish oversight bodies joined the Charter. The Canadian oversight body also officially joined the IOWG in November 2025.

Other forms of international cooperation

In addition, Committee R/I participates in the European Intelligence Oversight Network (EION), takes part in conferences such as the International Intelligence Oversight Forum (IIOF) or the European Intelligence Oversight Conference (EIOC) and maintains bilateral contacts with other national oversight bodies.

Belgium has not yet ratified the Council of Europe’s Convention 108+. As the first international treaty specifically dedicated to national security and, consequently, to the intelligence and security services, the Convention stipulates in particular that the oversight authorities must cooperate with one another “to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties and exercise of their powers” (Art 17).