List of countries that prohibit paramilitary organizations outside government armed forces

Some countries' constitutions limit freedom of association by prohibiting paramilitary organizations outside the government constitution. In most cases, there is no definition of paramilitary, and court decisions are responsible for defining that concept.

Angola
Article 48.4. of Angola constitution prohibits any military, militarized or paramilitary-type associations. "Article 48.4. Any associations or groupings whose purposes or activities are contrary to the constitutional order, or which incite and practice violence, promote tribalism, racism, dictatorship, fascism or xenophobia, in addition to any military, militarised or paramilitary-type associations, shall be prohibited."

In addition, Article 17.2(e) prohibits the use of military, paramilitary or militarized organizations by political parties. "Article 17.2.(e) The use of peaceful means only to pursue aims and a ban on the creation or use of military, paramilitary or militarised organisations;"

Brazil
Article 5.XVII. of Brazil constitution prohibits any paramilitary associations. "Article 5.XVII. there is total freedom of association for lawful purposes, but any paramilitary association is prohibited;"

In addition, Article 17.§4° prohibits the use of paramilitary organizations by political parties. "Article 17.§4°. Political parties are forbidden to utilize paramilitary organizations."

Bulgaria
Article 44.2. of Bulgaria constitution prohibits any organization with paramilitary structures. "Article 44.2. The organization/s activity shall not be contrary to the country's sovereignty and national integrity, or the unity of the nation, nor shall it incite racial, national, ethnic or religious enmity or an encroachment on the rights and freedoms of citizens; no organization shall establish clandestine or paramilitary structures or shall seek to attain its aims through violence."

Cape Verde
Article 51.4. of Cape Verde constitution prohibits any paramilitary associations. "Article 51.4. Armed, military, and paramilitary associations, and those which promote violence, racism, xenophobia, or dictatorship, or those whose purposes violate criminal law, shall be prohibited."

In addition, Article 126.1. prohibits the use of paramilitary organizations by political parties. "Article 126.1. It is prohibited to form political parties of regional or local scope, with regional or local objectives, which intend to use subversive or violent means in the pursuit of their ends, or which have a paramilitary nature."

Comoros
Article 35 of Comoros constitution prohibits the use of paramilitary organizations by political parties. "Article 35. The constitution of political parties, insular, regional or local, or of a paramilitary character, or employing subversive methods, is prohibited."

Congo
Article 190 of Congo constitution prohibits any paramilitary groups or private militias under penalty of high treason. "Article 190. No one may, under penalty of high treason, organize military groups, paramilitary [groups] or private militias, or maintain a youth army."

Gabon
Article 1.22°. of Gabon constitution prohibits private militia or para-military groups. "Article 1.22°. Consequentially, neither person, nor group of people may constitute themselves as a private militia or para-military group; the forces of defense and national security are at the service of the State."

Guinea-Bissau
Article 55.3. of Guinea-Bissau constitution prohibits any armed, military, militarized or paramilitary associations. "Article 55.3. Armed, military, militarized and paramilitary associations are not allowed, nor organizations that promote racism or tribalism."

Iraq
Article 9.B. of Iraq constitution prohibits the formation of military militias outside the framework of the armed forces. "Article 9.B. The formation of military militias outside the framework of the armed forces is prohibited."

Kazakhstan
Article 5.3. of Kazakhstan constitution prohibits any formation of unauthorized paramilitary units. "Article 5.3. Formation and functioning of public associations pursuing the goals or actions directed toward violent change of the constitutional system, violation of the integrity of the Republic, undermining the security of the state, inciting social, racial, national, religious, class and tribal enmity, as well as formation of unauthorized paramilitary units shall be prohibited."

Kenya
Article 239.4. of Kenya constitution prohibits any paramilitary associations except authorized by an act of parliament. "Article 239.4. A person shall not establish a military, paramilitary, or similar organisation that purports to promote and guarantee national security, except as provided for by this Constitution or an Act of Parliament."

In addition, Article 91.2.(c). prohibits the use of paramilitary organizations or militias by political parties. "Article 91.2.(c). establish or maintain a paramilitary force, militia or similar organisation;"

Mozambique
Article 52.3. of Mozambique constitution prohibits any armed associations of a military or paramilitary nature. "Article 52.3. Armed associations of a military or paramilitary nature, as well as associations that promote violence, racism, xenophobia or pursue aims that are against the law, shall be prohibited."

North Macedonia
Article 20 of North Macedonia constitution prohibits any military or paramilitary associations which do not belong to the Armed Forces. "Article 20. Military or paramilitary associations which do not belong to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Macedonia are prohibited."

Oman
Article 14 of Oman constitution prohibits any paramilitary formation. "Article 14. Only the State establishes the armed forces, public security authorities and any other forces. All these forces belong to the Nation and their mission is to protect the State, ensure the safety of its territories, and guarantee the security and tranquillity of the Citizens. It is not permissible for any authority or group to establish military or paramilitary formations. The Law shall regulate the military service, general or partial mobilization, and the rights, duties, and rules of discipline of the armed forces, public security authorities, and any other forces the State decides to establish."

Paraguay
Article 42 of Paraguay constitution prohibits any paramilitary association. "Article 42. Secret associations and those of a paramilitary character are prohibited."

Philippines
Article XVIII.Sec 24. of Philippines constitution prohibits private armies and other armed groups not recognized by a duly constituted authority. "Article XVIII.Sec 24. Private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly constituted authority shall be dismantled. All paramilitary forces including Civilian Home Defense Forces not consistent with the citizen armed force established in this Constitution, shall be dissolved or, where appropriate, converted into the regular force."

Portugal
Article 46.4. of Portugal constitution prohibits armed associations, military, militarised or paramilitary-type associations. "Article 46.4. Armed associations, military, militarised or paramilitary-type associations and organisations that are racist or display a fascist ideology shall not be permitted."

Romania
Article 118.4. of Romania constitution prohibits military or paramilitary activities outside the framework of a state authority. "Article 118.4. The organization of military or paramilitary activities outside the framework of a state authority is prohibited."

Serbia
Article 55 of Serbia constitution prohibits any paramilitary association. "Article 55. Secret and paramilitary associations shall be prohibited."

South Sudan
Article 151.3. of South Sudan constitution prohibits any armed or paramilitary force except in accordance with the law. "Article 151.3. No person or persons shall raise any armed or paramilitary force in South Sudan except in accordance with this Constitution and the law."

Spain
Section 22.5. of Spain constitution prohibits any paramilitary association. "Section 22.5. Secret and paramilitary associations are prohibited."

East Timor
Article 43.3. of East Timor constitution prohibits any armed, military or paramilitary associations. "Article 43.3. The establishment of armed, military or paramilitary associations, including organizations of a racist or xenophobic nature or that promote terrorism, is prohibited."

Ukraine
Article 37 of Ukraine constitution prohibits political parties and public associations from having paramilitary formations. "Article 37. Political parties and public associations shall not have paramilitary formations."

Yemen
Article 36 of Yemen constitution prohibits paramilitary groups. "Article 36. The state is the authority to establish the armed forces, the police, the security forces and any such bodies. Such forces belong to all the people and their function is to protect the republic and safeguard its territories and security. No organization, individual, group, political party or organization may establish forces or paramilitary groups for whatever purpose or under any name. The law stipulates the conditions for military service, promotion and disciplinary procedures in the military, police and security forces."