Liability is suggested for actions committed online, the ministry said, also demanding criminal charges for soliciting children under the age of 16 for sexual purposes, participation in events of pornographic nature that involves a child.
According to the draft, Lithuanian citizens or foreign citizens with permanent residence in Lithuania who have raped, molested, or prostituted children abroad should be judged under Lithuania's Criminal Code or local penal laws of the country where the crime was committed.
"These provisions would envisage criminal liability for persons who enjoy so-called sex tourism trips to exotic countries," the ministry said.
According to the press release, the number of sexual crimes against children is on the rise. Some 63 investigations into child molesting were opened in 2007 and 2008 each, up to 75 in 2009 and 118 to October 2010 (46 of them were dropped).
The amendments have been proposed to the government. If approved, they will be forwarded to the parliament.
