Chapter III. National Defence and Security
Article 31 (Amended)
National defence and security are the obligations and duties of all organizations and Lao citizens, with the national defence and security forces as the main forces to protect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation; protecting lives and people’s property, [and] ensuring a stable and sustainable people’s democracy.
National defence and security are carried out in parallel with socio-economic development and environmental protection.
Article 32 (Amended)
The national defence and security forces must improve and strengthen themselves, enhance their loyalty to the nation, serve as the people’s military force with real revolutionary spirit, [observe] strict rules and modern plans having high military competence, and be the main forces to ensure national stability, peace, social order and attend to prevent, fight and resolve natural disasters.
The State focuses on developing the fundamentals of defence and security, supplying materials, techniques, technology, transportation, equipment and upgrading the knowledge, ability, professional skills, strategy and tactics of the national defence and security forces.
Article 33
The State and society attend to implementing policies to ensure that the physical and mental condition of the national defence and security forces is well maintained and to providing incentives to rear echelons of the national defence and security forces to increase the capacity to protect the nation and maintain peace in the society.
The national defence and security forces must endeavour to become self reliant and stronger in order to ensure implementation of tasks and attend to national development.
