Constitution of Tajikistan (extracts)

Article 2. The state language of Tajikistan is Tajik. Russian is a language of communication between the nationalities. All nationalities and peoples living on the territory of the republic are entitled freely to use their mother tongue.

Article 40. Every person has the right freely to take part in the cultural life of society; artistic, scientific, and technical creation; and to use their achievements. The state protects cultural and spiritual riches. Intellectual property is protected by law.

Article 41. Every person has the right to education. The basic general education is compulsory. The state guarantees access to free general, vocational, and according to abilities based on competition, general specialized and higher education in the state educational establishments. Other forms of acquiring education are defined by law.

Article 65. The president is elected by the citizens of Tajikistan on the basis of universal, direct, and equal suffrage in a secret ballot for a five-year term. Any citizen aged between 35 and 65 who knows the state language and has lived on the territory of Tajikistan at least for the past 10 years can be nominated to the post of president of the republic. Only a person whose nomination is signed by at least five percent of the electorate shall be eligible for candidacy to the post of president. A person may not be elected to the office of president for more than two consecutive terms.