The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for senior Taliban leaders, including the group’s Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, over alleged crimes against women in Afghanistan.
According to international media reports, the ICC’s decision is based on credible evidence suggesting that the Taliban leadership has committed crimes against humanity through gender-based persecution and forced restrictions on women.
In its ruling, the ICC stated that there is “reasonable ground to believe” that the Taliban’s actions, particularly targeting women and girls, constitute systematic and widespread violations under international law.
The arrest warrants mark a historic step by the ICC in addressing gender-based oppression under the Taliban regime, which has imposed severe restrictions on women since retaking power in August 2021.
This development is expected to increase international pressure on the Taliban and further isolate its leadership on the global stage.
