DUSHANBE, June 24, 2015, Asia-Plus  -- Members of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament have supported amendments proposed by the government to the country’s law on citizenship by a majority vote.

A regular sitting of the first session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the fifth convocation, presided over by its head, Shukurjon Zuhurov, was held on June 24.

Speaking at the session, Tajik Ombudsman Zarif Alizoda noted that requirements for the acquisition of Tajik nationality had been changed.

Thus, foreign citizen or stateless person cannot acquire Tajik nationality if they cannot speak state language at a conversational level or criminal proceedings have been instituted against them.       

Besides, foreign citizens or stateless persons adopting Tajik children will have privilege while applying for Tajik citizenship.

Foreign citizens or stateless persons who enter into marriage with a Tajik citizen have the right to get Tajik citizenship in three years.

Meanwhile, Tajik nationals traveling overseas to fight alongside terrorists will lose their Tajik citizenship automatically.