Tajikistan Approves Amnesty for Illegal Foreign Nationals & Stateless Persons

Dushanbe; The Assembly of Representatives of Tajikistan approved President Emomali Rahmon’s proposal regarding the amnesty of foreign nationals and stateless persons who are illegally staying in the territory of Tajikistan on 11 Dec 2019. A decision was made  during the sixth session of the Assembly of Representative. The Chairman of Assembly of Representative Shukurjon Zuhurov chaired the session.

Tajik Deputy Interior Minister Ikrom Umarzoda and a member of the Committee of Assembly of Representative on Legislation and Human Rights Bakhtovar Safarzoda explained the mentioned draft law that was unanimously supported and adopted by the deputies.

“The purpose of the law is to make a one-time exception by pardoning foreign citizens and stateless persons illegally staying in Tajikistan, as well as promoting the prevention of statelessness,” said Umarzoda.

Legalization of foreign citizens’ illegal extended stay in the country and that of stateless persons, pursuant to this law will be implemented through their registration in internal affairs agencies, while getting their residence permits or permanent residence in Tajikistan.

According to the available information, from the end of 2014 to March 2016, more than 20,000 stateless persons were registered in the border towns of Shahritus, Qubodiyon, Istaravshan, Shahriston, Devashich, Tursunzoda and Shahrinav districts. Most of them were citizens of the former Soviet Union. Safarzoda also noted that the inability to prove one’s nationality will pose a serious barrier.