Research and development in criminal law and criminology

Research and development in criminal law and criminology

Reprocide as a Simple of Genocide

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mahdi Khalili 1
Hossein Mirmohammadsadeghi 2
hamidreza heydarpour 3
Jila Mehrara 4
1 Master of Criminal Law & Criminology - Judicial Sciences University
2 Professor at Faculty of Law- Shahid Beheshti University
3 Post- Doc Researcher on Criminal Law & Criminology at Shahid Beheshti University
4 Phd Student of Criminal Law & Criminology at Meybod University
10.22034/jclc.2026.2087183.1326
Abstract
One of the lesser examined forms of genocide—as a crime falling within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court—is Reproductive Deprivation(Reprocide), a concept that encompasses various manifestations and refers to acts whose direct or indirect aim is to prevent the biological continuity of a human group by eliminating its capacity for natural or artificial reproduction. Reproductive deprivation may be understood as consisting of material or direct forms, which concern the bodily biological integrity of men and women, and immaterial or indirect forms, which relate to the non bodily, non biological dimensions of structures and infrastructures associated with fertility and reproduction. Numerous historical examples can be identified in which this specific form of genocide has been perpetrated. International criminal law, by recognizing this category, seeks to protect the survival of population groups against organized programs of destruction—even where such programs are implemented indirectly or covertly. Since the commission of this crime does not require the existence of an armed conflict, and may in fact occur in non conflict settings, there is no basis for classifying it as a war crime. Likewise, this conduct does not fall under crimes against humanity, as it is not necessarily predicated on a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population. The inapplicability of the crime of aggression is also evident. Nevertheless, the characteristics and constitutive elements of genocide, as articulated in the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, are present in and ascertainable with respect to reproductive deprivation. Nevertheless, this instance of genocide, given its inherent nature and characteristics, must be regarded as conduct that explicitly violates the human right to reproduction. Given the absence of independent research on this specific form of genocide within the existing legal literature, the present article seeks to examine and analyze its concept, manifestations, characteristics, constitutive elements, and several prominent examples.
Keywords
Reprocide
Reproductive Rights
Voluntary Reproduction
Genocide
Breach of Reproductive Rights
Subjects
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Research and development in criminal law and criminology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 25 May 2026