Six Countries Refer Afghanistan Rights Violations to ICC

On November 28, 2024, six countries—Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Mexico—referred the situation of women's rights violations in Afghanistan to the International Criminal Court (ICC). They expressed deep concern over the deteriorating human rights conditions for women and girls following the Taliban's takeover in 2021, urging the ICC to investigate potential crimes against them. The referral aligns with reports from the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, who highlighted systemic discrimination and called for gender apartheid to be recognized as a crime against humanity. The ICC has been actively investigating Afghanistan since 2020, with a renewed focus on crimes committed after May 1, 2003. This referral marks a significant step in international efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and address ongoing human rights abuses. The situation of Afghan women and girls continues to draw international scrutiny, with the potential for increased diplomatic pressure on the Taliban's regime.