DUSHANBE, February 15, Asia-Plus – Tajik MPs have endorsed a bill on public associations.
A regular sitting of the third session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) presided over by its speaker Saydullo Khairulloyev was held on February 14.
Nurali Rioyev, member of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Committee on International Affairs, Public Associations and Information, presenting the bill noted that the new draft law differs from the present law on public associations. “One of the main differences is that now foreign citizens and persons without citizenship also have the right to create public associations if they live in the territory of Tajikistan,” said MP, “For this they should be accredited at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and registered with the Ministry of Justice.”
The Majlisi Namoyandagon deputy also leader of the Communist Party, Shodi Shabdolov, telling the session noted that state bodies do not have the right to interfere in the process of creation and work of public associations and their structures. He also stressed that public associations should not strive for political goals.
The session also passed a resolution setting a life pension in an amount equivalent of $500 to the first President of Tajikistan Qahhor Mahkamov.
