CHAPTER IX. SECURITY SERVICES
236. Security services
The Maldivian security services, consisting of the Military Service and the Police Service, is established to enable all persons in the Maldives to live in peace, security and freedom.
237. Responsibilities and duties
The security services shall protect the nation’s sovereignty, maintain its territorial integrity defend the constitution and democratic institutions, maintain and enforce law and order, and render assistance in emergencies.
238. Constitutional limitations
The actions of the security services must be exercised in accordance with the Constitution and the law, and operate on the basis of accountability. The President shall ensure that these obligations of the security services are complied with.
239. Authority of the People’s Majlis over the security services
- The People’s Majlis shall enact a statute on the organization of and the principles pursuant to which each security service shall operate.
- The security services shall be subject to the authority of the People’s Majlis.
240. Separate services
The security services shall be organized as two separate services, and shall operate independently of each other.
241. Multiparty committee of the People’s Majlis
A committee of the People’s Majlis shall be established to exercise continuing oversight of the operations of the security services. The committee shall include representation from all the different political parties within the People’s Majlis.
242. Ministerial Responsibility
Each security service shall be under the responsibility of a Minister, who shall be answerable for its operations to the President and to the People’s Majlis.
243. Military Service
- The primary object of the Military Service is to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity, its Exclusive Economic Zone and the people.
- If the President, as Commander in Chief, authorizes or orders the employment of the Military Service in defence of the Republic or as part of an international undertaking, the President shall without delay submit the authorization to the People’s Majlis. the People’s Majlis may at any time approve the authorization, or revoke the authorization.
244. Police Service
The primary objects of the Police Service are:
- to maintain public order and safety;
- to protect and secure all people in the Maldives, and their property;
- to investigate crime, conservation of evidence and prepare cases for disposition by the courts; and
- to uphold the law.
245. Illegal orders and non-compliance
No person shall give an illegal order to a member of the security services. Members of the security services shall not obey a manifestly illegal order.
246. Equal treatment
- Members of the security services shall treat all persons and groups equally without any discrimination, and with humanity and dignity in accordance with the decorous principles of Islam.
- Members of the security services shall not engage in partisan political activity of any nature, and shall not affiliate themselves with any trade union or political party.
