Tajikistan to deprive terrorists of citizenship
DUSHANBE. June 25 (Interfax) - Tajik nationals who leave their home country for joining a terrorist organization will be deprived of citizenship, according to the new edition of the Law on Citizenship passed by the lower house of the national parliament on Thursday.
"Persons from amongst citizens of the republic will be automatically deprived of citizenship of the Republic of Tajikistan if they fight for terrorist organizations abroad," Human Rights Ombudsman Zarif Alizoda told deputies, while he was presenting the draft to the legislature.
He did not explain what the term 'automatic' loss of citizenship stood for, either that would happen on the court order or on representation of the Prosecutor General's Office.
In addition, the new law provides naturalization 'by birth': every person born on the territory of Tajikistan will be regarded as a citizen of Tajikistan irrespective of citizenship of his or her parents.
Also, foreign citizens or stateless persons seeking naturalization in the republic will be compelled to pass an official (Tajik) language exam on at least colloquial level.