DUSHANBE, October 12, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- On Wednesday October 12, Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament endorsed amendments made to the country’s anti-corruption law.

Under one of these amendments, high-ranking state official are now prohibited from taking on not only their children but also their children-in-law.  The Children-in-law are now also considered immediate relatives of the high-ranking officials.  Earlier, the wife, the husband, parents, children and children-in-law’s parents had been considered immediate relatives of the high-rnaking officials.

The amendments to the anti-corruption law were initiated by the Majlisi Namoyandagon Deputy Speaker, Ms. Nazira Ghafforova, and MPs Barakatullo Atokhoja (ex-Tursunzoda mayor) and Saodat Amirshoyeva (ex-prosecutor of the city of Qurghon Teppa).

“Besides, an additional article determining principles of international cooperation of Tajikistan in combating corruption has been added to the anti-corruption law,” Ms. Amirshoyeva noted.

The Majlisi Namoyandagon also made a decision that the draft law on the national budget for 2012 would be considered on October 25.