1- 1. Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Tarbiat Modares Universtity, Tehran, Iran
2- 2. M.A. Student, Faculty of Law, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (13668 Views)
Infanticide is an old phenomenon, which is prevalent in various forms within the human societies. In the past, infants were buried alive because of marriage and feeding costs, and some other reasons. Today, it occurs in several forms as asphyxiating/strangulation, drowning, and withdrawal of food and water. It is often committed at homes or by persons who are familiar with the infants. There is an overlap between infanticide and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Infanticide has many causes, including when husband casts doubt upon the belonging of infant to himself. Some countries (as England) have an Infanticide Act, but other countries (including Iran) apply the provisions of murder to infanticide cases. In addition to above issues and according to a comparative perspective, the present article explores the approach of other countries, which provides special provisions on infanticide. It also concludes that harmonization of Iranian legal provisions to the comparative standards relating to protection of infants (particularly by criminalizing infanticide) seems to be necessary.
.
Received: 2013/09/30 | Accepted: 2013/12/21 | Published: 2013/12/21