Journal of Research and Development in Comparative Law

Journal of Research and Development in Comparative Law

Comparative Study of Mechanisms to Combat Bioterrorism against Children (with a Comparative Look at International Conventions and the Laws of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany)

Document Type : scientific research paper

Authors
Salar Sadeghi 1
Bahram Samadirad 2
Taha Eslami 3
1 Assistant Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology, Law Department, Roshdiyeh Higher Education Institute,, Tabriz, Iran.
2 Associate Professor of Forensic Medicine, Legal Medicine Research Center, Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran.
3 MA in Criminal Law and Criminology, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22034/law.2025.2046784.1575
Abstract
Bioterrorism poses a significant threat not only to national security but also to the fundamental rights of vulnerable populations, especially children.
The emergence of biological factors as instruments of terror raises important concerns for public health, emergency response and protection of human rights, and children, as one of the most vulnerable groups in society, face significant risks of physical and psychological harm and disruption of essential services during bioterrorism events.
The unique physiological and psychological characteristics of children make them more susceptible to biological factors and increase their vulnerability.
Therefore, to effectively protect children in the field of bioterrorism, it is essential to adopt a proactive and integrated approach, including prevention, preparedness and response strategies, as well as collaboration between governments and health organizations.
Accordingly, this article, by a comparative analysis of international conventions and laws of the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany, while examining the intersection of bioterrorism and children's rights, discusses the unique vulnerabilities that children face in the context of bioterrorism threats and the consequences of such attacks on children's physical and mental health, analyzes the mechanisms for combating bioterrorism against children from health, social and legal dimensions and emphasizes strengthening public health infrastructure, education and awareness campaigns, vaccination and immunization programs, cooperation with World Health Organizations and victim support services as the most important of these mechanisms.
Although such programs have not been implemented in Iran and no protocols, regulations, or laws have been approved in this regard, multi-level and coherent programs, measures, and laws have been envisaged in the aforementioned countries to protect various groups, including children, from biological and bioterrorist attacks, which could also be utilized by Iran.
Keywords
bioterrorism, children, vulnerability, combating, public health

Subjects

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