PART V. NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Article 146. Defense Force
- The armed forces of East Timor, FALINTIL-ETDF, composed exclusively by national citizens, have the responsibility of providing military defense for the Democratic Republic of East Timor and shall have a single system of organization for the whole national territory.
- FALINTIL-ETDF shall guarantee national independence, territorial integrity and the freedom and security of the populations against any aggression or external threat, in respect for the constitutional order.
- FALINTIL-ETDF shall be non-partisan and shall owe obedience to the competent organs of sovereignty in accordance with the Constitution and the laws, and shall not intervene in any political matter.
Article 147. Police and Security Forces
- The police shall defend the democratic legality and guarantee the internal security of the citizens, and shall be strictly non-partisan.
- The prevention of crime shall be undertaken with due respect for human rights.
- The law shall determine the rules and regulations for the police and other security forces.
Article 148. Superior Council of Defense and Security
- The Superior Council of Defense and Security is the consultative organ of the President of the Republic on matters relating to the defense and sovereignty.
- The Superior Council for Defense and Security is presided over by the President of the Republic and must include civilian and military representatives, the number of civilian entities being higher than the number of military representatives.
- The composition, organization and the functioning of the Superior Council for Defense and Security shall be defined by law.
