Clashes over changes to the SHISH law in the Laws Committee, PD raises alarm over political use

The draft law proposing several changes to the SHISH law was also reviewed by the parliamentary Laws Committee.

During the discussions, Democratic Party MP Oerd Bylykbashi presented his reservations, arguing that references to “the country’s internal stability and regional stability” could open the door to political misuse in the prime minister’s interest.

At the meeting, Bylykbashi raised the question: “Are you steering SHISH toward political abuse?” This concern was not shared by SHISH legal director Armanda Dhima.

According to Armanta Dhima, “SHISH is apolitical and not in the service of politics. No intelligence service in the world publishes data. Budgets are hidden and camouflaged.”

On the other hand, the chairman of the Laws Committee, Ulsi Manja, made a comment about the three SHISH representatives present at the session.

“I am pleased to see three ladies from SHISH, because in these agencies we are used to seeing only men and I want to congratulate you for this. I am not denigrating men, this is in fact positive discrimination, but I am glad that in such roles there are three ladies together with the minister of state who came out of this committee,” said Ulsi Manja.

In the end, the changes to the SHISH law received seven votes in favor in this committee, moving forward to a vote in a plenary session of Parliament.