DUSHANBE, October 15, 2009, Asia-Plus -- Deputies of the Majlisi Namoyndagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) have endorsed amendments prohibiting foreigners from owning a dwelling in Tajikistan.

Presenting the bill on amendments on the law on legal status of foreign citizens in Tajikistan, MP Galiya Rabiyeva noted on October 14 that the amendments provides for the right of foreign citizens permanently living in Tajikistan to labor and protection.

In the meantime, the law prohibits foreign citizens, except separate categories of persons having diplomatic immunity, from purchasing a dwelling in Tajikistan.

The draft law was endorsed by parliamentarians without discussions.

MPs also endorsed changes and addenda made to the laws on the national budget for 2009 as well as copyright and allied rights.

Parliamentarians also ratified an agreement between Tajikistan and the Russian Federation on joint planning of use of forces for providing joint security of the Republic of Tajikistan and Russian Federation, an agreement on mutual protection of rights to the results of intellectual property acquired and used in the process of military and economic cooperation within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), an agreement on training of personnel for law enforcement agencies, emergency management agencies and special services of the CSTO member nations, and a resolution on the CIS program fro cooperation in combating human trafficking designed for 2007-2010.