Under the bill, formulated by the government a few weeks ago, paedophiliac crimes will carry prison sentences ranging from three to 12 years. Particularly cruel crimes in this category will be punished with prison sentences of more than 20 years.
Drug dealing offences will carry prison sentences from three to 15 years.
In a bid to combat loan-sharking, the Ivo Sanader Cabinet has proposed stringent measures against usurious money-lending contracts, including imprisonment between one and five years for offenders who commit this kind of crime.
Extortion by force will carry prison sentences from three to ten years.
Statute of limitations for some crimes will be prolonged and conditions for imposing suspended sentences will be made stricter.
The bill envisages harsher measures against bribery and related white-collar crimes.
The minister also explained that the government had jettisoned plans to introduce life imprisonment for the gravest crimes, after law experts assessed that a sentence of 40 years in jail would be sufficient.
Clubs of parliamentary parties began a discussion on the bill this afternoon.