Tajikistan preparing for possible Afghan refugee inflow
DUSHANBE. Feb 27 (Interfax) - Tajikistan has handed over powers to deal with refugees from the Migration Service to local police departments ahead of the NATO pullout from Afghanistan, the Tajik Majlisi Oli (parliament) press service said on Wednesday.
The parliament passed amendments to that effect the day before.
"Consistent with the amendments, foreign citizens seeking refugee status will file their requests with regional police departments, which are entitled to make the final decision," the press service said.
Alongside refugee status, foreign citizens will be issued so-called roadmaps, which will allow them to travel around Tajikistan. Previously, refugees were not allowed to travel outside of the region that had granted them registration. It was impossible for refugees to settle down in Dushanbe, Khujand and other big cities.
"The adjustment of the law is a necessity of our time, as our country is situated in a sensitive region," parliament deputy Muhiddin Kabiri told reporters.
"It is unknown what may happen in the neighboring country after 2014 when counterterrorism forces leave Afghanistan, and these amendments will help reduce tensions related to the expected refugee inflow," the deputy, who is also the leader of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, emphasized.
Most refugees coming to Tajikistan have origins in Afghanistan. There are also small numbers of refugees from Iran and Iraq. In all, Tajikistan has accommodated 6,000 foreign citizens since the country gained independence, the national parliament said.