PART V

NATIONAL DEFENCE AND SECURITY

Section 146

(Defence Force)

1. The East Timor defence force, FALINTIL-ETDF, composed exclusively by national citizens, has the responsibility of providing military defence for the Democratic Republic of East Timor and shall have a single system of organisation for the whole national territory.

2. 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.

3. 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 political matters.

Section 147

(Police and security forces)

1. The police shall defend the democratic legality and guarantee the internal security of the citizens, and shall be strictly non-partisan.

2. Prevention of crime shall be undertaken with due respect for human rights.

3. The law shall determine the rules and regulations for the police and other security forces.

Section 148

(Superior Council for Defence and Security)

1. The Superior Council for Defence and Security is the consultative organ of the President of the Republic on matters relating to defence and sovereignty.

2. The Superior Council for Defence and Security shall be headed by the President of the Republic and shall include civilian and military entities, the number of civilian entities being higher than the number of military entities.

3. The composition, organisation and functioning of the Superior Council for Defence and Security shall be defined by law.