International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders Over Women Persecution

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, accusing them of crimes against humanity, specifically the systematic persecution of women and girls since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. The charges highlight severe restrictions imposed on women, including bans on education for girls over 12, prohibitions on many jobs, travel limitations without male escorts, and enforced dress codes. The ICC also noted broader human rights abuses such as torture, abductions, and violence, with particular emphasis on gender-based targeting. The Taliban rejected the ICC's authority, calling the warrants an insult to Islamic beliefs and accusing the court of hypocrisy for focusing on Afghanistan while ignoring atrocities elsewhere. The ICC's actions follow international condemnation, including a United Nations resolution denouncing the Taliban's treatment of women. Observers are watching closely as this development could mark a new phase in international legal efforts to hold the Taliban accountable for human rights violations.