International Criminal Court Seeks Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders Over Women’s Rights Violations

In a landmark move, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has requested arrest warrants for two senior Taliban officials: Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani. They are accused of crimes against humanity, specifically for the systemic persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, they have enacted numerous decrees severely restricting women’s rights. Women have been barred from most forms of employment, denied education beyond the sixth grade, and prohibited from accessing public spaces such as parks and gyms. These actions have drawn widespread international condemnation.

The ICC’s move has been hailed by Afghan women’s rights groups as a significant step toward accountability. The Afghan Women’s Movement for Justice and Awareness celebrated the decision, emphasizing its importance in holding the Taliban accountable for their actions.

While the issuance of arrest warrants is a pivotal development, the immediate arrest of the accused Taliban leaders remains uncertain. Nonetheless, this action underscores the international community’s recognition of the severity of the Taliban’s actions against women and girls.