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Spain: CESID restructured

01 September 1995

Following recent scandals the Spanish government adopted, on July 28, a new statute on the personnel of the CESID (Security Service). The new regulations limit the term of office of the Director to 5 years, establish a new disciplinary system and impose an obligation of secrecy on members. With the publication of the decree in the Official Gazette on August 21 the 2000 plus agents will have passed to an `interim' status. Only those who are considered `fit' will be allowed to remain with the Service; the remaining personnel will have to leave during a transitional period which will end in 1998. The final decision will be dependent on the approval of a list of jobs which are subject to appointment by the Director. Currently, 80% of the CESID staff consists of members of the military and Civil Guard. The new decree also prohibits members from joining a trade union or political association or taking industrial action. Until now this measure applied only to members of the military forces or Civil Guard. Its legality has been debated by legal experts who have pointed out that it is questionable whether a royal decree can deprive civilian employees of these rights because the constitution expressly states that fundamental rights may only be regulated by constitutional law. Recently the director of the CESID, Alonso Manglano, had to resign. The new director and general secretary are Felix Moanda and Jesus del Olmo. Kontrola Kontrolpean, Donostia, Euskadi (Spain)