Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

1. Overview

The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2022 indicates that the ANP is "controlled by" the Ministry of Interior and is "responsible for internal security and law enforcement" (US 2023-03-20, 1).

2. Legislation

Angola's Constitution provides the following:

CHAPTER IV

GUARANTEE OF ORDER AND THE NATIONAL POLICE FORCE

…

Article 210

(National Police Force)

1. The National Police Force shall be the national, permanent, regular and non-partisan police institution, organised on a hierarchical basis and in terms of the discipline required for the protection and safety of the country by the police force, with strict respect for the Constitution, the laws and any international conventions to which Angola may be a party.
2. The National Police Force shall be composed exclusively of Angolan citizens and shall possess a single organisational structure for the whole of national territory.
3. The law shall regulate the organisation of functioning of the National Police Force

CHAPTER V

PRESERVATION OF STATE SECURITY

Article 211

(Preserving the security of the state)

1. The objective of preserving the security of the estate [sic] shall be to safeguard the democratic state based on the rule of law against violent or organised crime and other types of threats or risks, with respect for the Constitution, the laws and any international conventions to which Angola may be a party[.]
2. The preservation of state security shall include the institutional elements of the state intelligence and security bodies.
3. The organisation and functioning of the preservation of state security shall be established by law.

Article 212

(State intelligence and security bodies)

1. The state intelligence and security bodies shall be entrusted with producing intelligence and analysis and adopting state intelligence and security measures required to preserve the democratic state based on the rule of law and public peace.
2. The law shall regulate the organisation, functioning and oversight of the intelligence and security services. (Angola 2010, emphasis in original)

The Organic Statute of the National Police (Estatuto orgânico da Polícia Nacional) also provides the following:

[translation]

CHAPTER I

General Provisions

...

ARTICLE 2

(Definition and Nature)

1. The National Police of Angola, abbreviated by "PNA," is a militarized, uniformed and armed public security-type force that has operational, administrative, financial and proprietary autonomy.
2. The mission of the PNA is to:
   
   1. Ensure and defend democratic lawfulness;
   2. Guarantee public security and the exercise of basic rights and liberties by citizens;
   3. Maintain public order and peace;
   4. Collaborate in the execution of the national defence policy, under the terms of the Constitution and the law.
3. The PNA carries out its mission throughout the national territory and it may even be performed outside national borders, provided that it is legally mandated to this end.
4. The PNA is made up of military and civilian personnel.
5. Military personnel are considered professionals with policing, weapons-related and uniformed duties, subject to a command hierarchy. Members are career officers, deputy chiefs and agents of the NPA who fulfill specific corporate responsibilities.
6. PNA civilian personnel are considered government employees who do not come under the framework of military personnel.
7. The PNA is governed by the Constitution of the Republic of Angola, by this statute, by legislation applicable to its type of duties and by the international agreements that Angola is a party to.

ARTICLE 3

(Hierarchy)

1. Although a security force, the PNA is led by the President of the Republic as the Commander in Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces.
2. The Ministerial Department responsible for domestic order and public security is required to assist the President of the Republic in the steering and management of the PNA.

ARTICLE 4

(Responsibilities)

In normal constitutional situations, the responsibilities of the PNA are set out in this Statute other applicable legislation and in exceptional situations arising from legislation on national defence and on states of war, siege and emergency.

2. In the full completion of its mission, the PNA has the following responsibilities:

1. Ensure the normal operations of institutions and guarantee the regular exercise of basic rights and freedoms of citizens;
2. Ensure compliance with democratic lawfulness, maintaining or restoring public order and peace, the security of people and the protection of their property;
3. Protect the various types of property underpinning the sociopolitical and economic system enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Angola;
4. Prevent and repress juvenile delinquency, general crime and administrative offences;
5. Prevent and repress specifically organized crime and terrorism in conjunction with the other security service forces;
6. Conduct criminal investigations within the limits set out in the law;
7. Carry out specialized forensic activities in support of criminal investigations and pre-trial preparation for the respective proceedings within the limits of their jurisdictions;
8. Organize the centralized information service of the PNA in relation to defendants in criminal proceedings, suspected offenders, inmates sentenced by the courts, individuals subject to police activities, instruments and items stemming from crimes and "modus operandi" of offenders and criminals;
9. Without prejudice to the jurisdiction of other forces and security services, ensure the personal safety of members of sovereign organizations, high-ranking protocol entities or national or foreign entities or other people who require special protection;
10. Guarantee the protection and security of diplomatic representatives accredited in the country;
11. Assist and protect citizens, defend and preserve assets that are endangered by human activity or natural forces, in conjunction with other organizations;
12. Conduct policing, surveillance and monitoring of national borders, executing and furthering police measures related to the entry, exit and stay of foreign nationals;
13. Guarantee the security of port, airport and railway areas and the surveillance of customs and duty zones;
14. Control and monitor activities of private security companies and self-protection systems;
15. Exercise control of the import, trade, export, existence, ownership, possession and use of firearms or flammable, asphyxiating or toxic substances or explosive devices not belonging to other defence or security forces and in the possession of individuals or groups;
16. Organize, lead, inspect, monitor and regularize ground transportation, supervise driving schools, conduct primary inspections of motor vehicles, license motor vehicle inspection centres, issue drivers' registrations and licenses, without prejudice to the specific jurisdictions assigned by law to other organizations;
17. Monitor and protect public areas, houses or venues where celebrations, parties, fairs, demonstrations or shows are held, in addition to hotels and similar establishments and in general, all areas where duly authorized public meetings are held;
18. Guarantee the security at sporting events, in recreational and leisure activities, and in other similar activities, in accordance with the law;
19. Carry out the administrative actions from the competent authority aimed at preventing non-compliance with the law or its ongoing violation;
20. Perform the tasks assigned by law in the area of administrative licensing;
21. Participate in international missions under the terms set out in the law;
22. Work together with other entities in pursuit of the same purposes;
23. Within the scope of their responsibilities, provide the cooperation requested by the judicial, administrative and military authorities;
24. Cooperate with related organizations in supporting victims of natural disasters;
25. Collaborate with the competent bodies of the Executive in preventing and combating infractions against the environment;
26. Carry out other duties as assigned by law or a higher authority. (Angola 2019, emphasis in original)

3. Organization, Structure, and Ranks of the PNA

INTERPOL states that the PNA "is made up of operational, technical, consultative and support bodies, including Border Police, National Criminal Investigations, Traffic Control and SWAT" (INTERPOL n.d.).

3.1 Organization and Structure

The Organic Statute of the National Police provides the following:

[translation]

CHAPTER II

Overall Organization

ARTICLE 5

(Organizational Structure)

The PNA organizational structure is made up of the following:

1. PNA Commander General:
   
   1. Commander General of the PNA;
   2. Two Deputy Commander Generals of the PNA.
2. Advisory Support Bodies:
   
   1. Superior Council of Police
   2. Superior Council of Cadres;
   3. Superior Council of Justice and Discipline;
   4. Council of Commanders.
3. Instrumental Support Services:
   
   1. PNA Cabinet of the Commander General;
   2. PNA Cabinets of the Deputy Commander Generals;
   3. Board of Advisors.
4. Technical Support Services:
   
   1. Inspection of the PNA;
   2. Directorate of Public Security and Operations;
   3. Directorate of Patriotic Education;
   4. Directorate of Institutional Communications and Press;
   5. Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety;
   6. Directorate of Police Information;
   7. Directorate of Personnel and Cadres;
   8. Directorate of Finance;
   9. Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Technology;
   10. Directorate of Logistics;
   11. Directorate of Transportation;
   12. Directorate of Infrastructure and Equipment;
   13. Health Services Directorate;
   14. Directorate of Administration and Services;
   15. Directorate for Exchange and Cooperation;
   16. Legal Advice Directorate;
   17. Directorate of Studies and Planning.
5. Police Doctrine and Teaching Bodies:
   
   1. Directorate of Police Doctrine and Teaching;
   2. Higher Institute of Police and Criminal Sciences;
   3. Police Academy;
   4. Practical Police School;
   5. Cavalry Dressage and Scenario Training Centre;
   6. Police College.
6. Central Units:
   
   1. Rapid Response Police;
   2. Border Guard Police;
   3. Customs and Duty Police;
   4. Personal and Protocol Entity Security Police;
   5. Strategic Objectives Security Police;
   6. Directorate of Investigation of Criminal Offences;
   7. Aviation Unit.
7. Territorial Units:

Provincial Commands.

ARTICLE 6

(Organization and Operation of PNA Bodies)

The organization and functioning of PNA bodies, services and units are governed by the respective domestic regulations, approved by the Commander General.

ARTICLE 7

(Technical and Methodological Relationship)

1. The technical and methodological relationship between the Central Services and Units and the Provincial Commands adheres to the principle of territorial jurisdiction.
2. The services and subunits of the Central Bodies and the Provincial Commands rely thereon in structural, functional, hierarchical and administrative terms.
3. The specialized Central Units and Services formalize technical guidelines and procedures through the referral of rules that govern the activity, which are approved by superiors, for the Central Bodies and Provincial Commands, which are responsible for their implementation.
4. For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, the specialized Central Unit or service is required to supervise the application of rules and procedures by the Central Bodies and Provincial Commands. (Angola 2019, emphasis in original)

3.2 Different Ranks Within the PNA

The PNA published a 2011 report on its history in which the hierarchy of ranks is described as follows in descending order:

Comissary Officers (Oficiais Comissários)

• General Comissary (Comissário Geral)
• Senior Comissary (Comissário-chefe)
• Comissary (Comissário)
• Assistant Comissary (Subcomissário)

Senior Officers (Oficiais Superiores)

• Senior Superintendent (Superintendente-chefe)
• Superintendent (Superintendente)
• Deputy (Intendente)

Junior Officers (Oficiais Subalternos)

• Senior Inspector (Inspector-chefe)
• Inspector (Inspector)
• Assistant inspector (Subinspector)

Sergeants (Subchefes)

• Sergeant first class (1º Subchefe)
• Sergeant second class (2º Subchefe)
• Sergeant third class (3º Subchefe)

Officers (Agentes)

• Officer first class (Agente de 1ª Classe)
• Officer second class (Agente de 2ª Classe)
• Officer (Agente) (Angola 2011-02-28, 116-117).

4. Extent of Police Communication Across the Country

Information on the extent of the communication among PNA units across the country could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

5. Other Angolan Security Services

Information on other security services in Angola was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The PNA's website indicates that [translation] "the PNA is part of the national security system, along with the Angolan Armed Forces and other State Security and Intelligence Bodies and Services" in the context of its general missions of preventing and combating crime (Angola n.d.). According to US Country Reports 2022,

[t]he Criminal Investigation Services, also under the Ministry of Interior, are responsible for preventing and investigating domestic crimes. The Expatriate and Migration Services and the Border Guard Police within the Ministry of Interior are responsible for law enforcement relating to migration. The state intelligence and security service reports to the presidency and investigates state security matters. The Angolan Armed Forces are responsible for external security but also have domestic security responsibilities, including border security, expulsion of irregular migrants, and small-scale actions against groups such as the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda separatists in Cabinda. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. (US 2023-03-20, 1)

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Angola. 2019. Estatuto orgânico da Polícia Nacional. Excerpts translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 2023-06-12]

Angola. 2011-02-28. Polícia Nacional de Angola (PNA). Polícia Nacional Angolana: factos históricos. [Accessed 2023-06-01]

Angola. 2010. Constitution of the Republic of Angola. In World Constitutions Illustrated. Edited by Jefri Jay Ruchti. Buffalo, NY: William S. Hein & Co., Inc. [Accessed 2023-06-16]

Angola. N.d. Polícia Nacional de Angola (PNA). "Quem somos." Excerpt translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 2023-06-01]

International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). N.d. "Angola." [Accessed 2023-06-08]

United States (US). 2023-03-20. Department of State. "Angola." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2022. [Accessed 2023-06-08]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Africanews; Amnesty International; Angola – Embassy of Angola in Ottawa, Ministério do Interior, Polícia Nacional de Angola; Development Workshop; researcher and professor at a Portuguese university whose research focuses on security policies in Angola; Widows for Peace Through Democracy.

Internet sites, including: Al Jazeera; Amnesty International; Angola – consulate general in Houston, embassy in New Delhi, embassy in Stockholm, embassy in Washington, DC; Associated Press; Australia – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Austrian Red Cross – ecoi.net; Bertelsmann Stiftung; EU – EU Agency for Asylum; Factiva; Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance – International Security Sector Advisory Team; GlobalSecurity.org; The Guardian; Human Rights First; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group;The New Yorker; Organisation mondiale contre la torture; UN – Human Rights Council, Refworld, UNDP, UNICEF; US – CIA, Library of Congress, Social Security Administration; The Wall Street Journal; The Washington Post.