ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Taliban Chief and Afghan Justice Over Crimes Against Women

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

The Hague — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, citing grave human rights violations committed against Afghan women and girls under their regime.

According to the ICC ruling, both leaders are accused of orchestrating and enforcing policies that systematically deprived women of their fundamental rights, amounting to crimes against humanity. The court concluded that between August 15, 2021, and January 20, 2025, the Taliban leadership oversaw an extensive campaign of gender-based repression across Afghanistan.

The judges noted that while the Taliban imposed various restrictions across Afghan society, women and girls were subjected to targeted discrimination solely based on gender. These included the denial of access to education, employment, healthcare, freedom of movement, expression, family life, religion, and personal autonomy.

“The imposed policies reflect a deliberate strategy to erase women from public life,” the court declared, adding that these acts were not isolated incidents but a state-directed policy of persecution.

Additionally, the court found that individuals whose gender identity or sexual orientation conflicted with Taliban norms were also persecuted during this time.

This case marks one of the most significant actions taken by the ICC in prosecuting gender-based human rights abuses. Although the ICC lacks the authority to make arrests independently, its 123 member states are now legally obligated to detain the two Taliban officials should they enter their jurisdictions.

The ICC also emphasized that accountability for such widespread violations is essential for global justice and deterrence of future abuses.

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