Africa-Press – Angola. The National Assembly approved on Thursday the Draft Law on the Disciplinary Regime for Angolan National Police (PNA) Officers, with 91 votes in favor, none against, and 64 abstentions.
It applies to all PNA personnel, whether on active duty in the force or on secondment to other public institutions.
The MPs also approved the Draft Law on Decorations and Distinctions of the Angolan National Police (PNA) with 156 votes in favor, zero against, and no abstentions.
The law, initiated by the President of the Republic, as Head of the Executive Branch, aims primarily to provide the PNA with a regulatory instrument that serves as the basis for awarding decorations and distinctions to its officers, as a reward and public recognition for relevant services, rare self-sacrifice, bravery, effort, and dedication to society.
During the vote, Fernando Hombo Dinis, a member of the Humanist Party of Angola (PHA), said they voted in favor because they recognize the daily sacrifice of thousands of officers who, even in difficult conditions, fulfill their duty with dedication.
“Many work without adequate resources, in insufficient numbers, and some lose their lives in the fulfillment of their mission to protect lives,” he said.
Benedito Daniel, MP of the Social Renewal Party (PRS), said that his party voted in favor of the bill approving the disciplinary regime for Angolan National Police officers because they believe that the police need to be disciplined and regulated, as discipline contributes to the effectiveness and efficiency of their performance.
UNITA MP Manuel Fonseca said that they abstained from voting on the first bill (Proposed Law on the Disciplinary Regime for Angolan National Police Officers) because the law does not ensure, with due legal rigor, the legal binding nature of the specific orders that subordinates are required to obey.
“The bill lacks a clear provision requiring such orders to be formally based on the law, as a condition of validity and protection of the officers themselves,” he pointed out.
Finally, according to Deputy Luís Pizarro, the MPLA Parliamentary Group voted in favor of the draft law on the Disciplinary Regime for Angolan National Police Officers, on the understanding that this bill represents a fundamental legal instrument for the moralization of the military body and for strengthening citizens’ trust in state institutions.
He added that they voted in favor of the law because it is unquestionably legal and institutional, as it aims to establish a solid and coherent regulatory framework for the conduct of National Police officers, ensuring compliance with the principles of legality, respect for hierarchy, discipline, impartiality, and responsibility in the exercise of police duties.
“The Parliamentary Group voted in favor because the proposed law brings the principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Angola into line with the Basic Law of the National Police with regard to the behavior that should guide the actions of police officers,” he said.
He pointed out that the law establishes the duties and conduct required, providing for the legal consequences of any violations of their official duties.
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