ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders Over Gender-Based Persecution in Afghanistan

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International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, head of Afghanistan’s Supreme Court, charging them with crimes against humanity for the persecution of women, girls, and individuals perceived as non-conforming to the Taliban’s gender policies.

The ICC’s investigation, initiated in 2020 and refocused in 2022, found that since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Akhundzada and Haqqani have been responsible for systematic and severe restrictions on women’s rights, including bans on education beyond sixth grade, employment, and freedom of movement. These actions have led to widespread violations of fundamental rights, such as physical integrity, education, and free expression.

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The charges also encompass persecution against individuals whose gender identity or expression does not align with the Taliban’s ideological expectations, including members of the LGBTQI+ community and those perceived as allies of women and girls. The ICC emphasized that these actions constitute a policy of gender-based oppression, resulting in the systematic exclusion of women from public life.

In response, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the ICC’s authority, labeling the ruling as biased against Islam and Sharia law. He stated that the Taliban does not recognize any entity under the title of the ‘International Court’ and emphasized that their governance is based on the sacred laws of Islamic Sharia.

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Human rights organizations have lauded the ICC’s decision as a significant step toward justice for Afghan women and marginalized groups. Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, described the move as crucial for holding accountable those responsible for the gender-based deprivation of fundamental rights.

The ICC’s action underscores the international community’s commitment to addressing gender-based persecution and holding perpetrators accountable, despite challenges in enforcement and the Taliban’s defiance.