German Justice Ministry is mulling tougher laws to fight unauthorized production and distribution of naked pictures in Germany amid heated discussions on child protection sparked by Edathy affair, German media reported on Saturday.

The draft would in general outlaw the production and distribution of photos of “unclothed people”, an act that would entail imprisonment up to three years or a fine, media reported citing ministry sources.

In addition, those who obtain naked photos though exchange rings or establish contacts with children and young people via mail or chat forums for sexual purposes would also get prison penalty, according to the draft.

The recent child porn scandal surrounding former German lawmaker Sebastian Edathy, who is under investigation for allegedly having purchased videos and photos of naked children and youth from a Canadian firm, has sparked heated discussions in Germany.

According to media reports, the Child Protection Agency and other groups in the country have called for tougher laws that would outlaw the sale of pictures of naked children.

The Bundesrat, or the upper house of German parliament, on Friday also urged the government to better protect children and young people by toughening criminal regulations.

Currently, people in Germany who buy pictures of naked children are reportedly largely exempt from punishment, because the German government has not implemented a 2011 EU guideline on the fight against child abuse that includes prohibiting photos of naked children.

Images, films and texts about sexual acts involving children or in the presence of children are illegal and distribution or possession of them is punishable by up to five years in prison, but people who possess or buy pictures of naked children without evidence of sexual acts stand a good chance of avoiding prosecution.

Source: The Global Times