DUSHANBE, November 10, 2014, Asia-Plus — The board (Shuro) of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) discussed a draft law on demonstrations and street processions at a November 10 meeting, presided over by its head, Shukurjon Zuhurov.
Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for Majlisi Namoyandagon, says the draft law, worked out by the government, was submitted for consideration to the relevant Majlisi Namoyandagon committee and commissions.
The board also discussed amendments proposed to the country’s law on the national budget for 2014 and the draft law on information, Sultonov said.
We will recall that a group of parliamentarians drafted a law requiring amendments to the country’s law on meetings, demonstrations and street processions in late May this year.
The draft law, in particular, bans masks at demonstrations.
Besides, persons who had a Molotov cocktail with them at demonstrations and did not use it will be held administratively responsible anyway.
The draft law also notes that persons using a Molotov cocktail in demonstration and public gathering places will be put on the same footing as persons illegally using firearms.
Under the country’s legislation, law enforcement officers have the right to use weapons against such category of persons.
Some protesters used so-called Molotov cocktails during deadly clashes that occurred in Khorog, the capital of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) on May 21, 2014. The clashes left at least three people dead and several people injured. The fatalities occurred during a police offensive against suspected criminals,
