The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban figures, accusing them of crimes against humanity for their systematic oppression of women and girls in Afghanistan. The alleged crimes occurred between August 15, 2021 — when the Taliban reclaimed power — and continued through at least January 20, 2025.
The ICC judges said there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani are responsible for gender-based persecution under international law.
‘Severe Deprivation of Fundamental Rights’
In its official statement, the ICC said the Taliban’s rules and edicts disproportionately targeted women and girls, stripping them of basic rights and freedoms — including access to education, work, freedom of movement, and personal expression.
While acknowledging that some of the Taliban’s restrictions applied broadly, the court stressed that Afghan women were singled out due to their gender, adding that the regime’s interpretation of Islamic law “severely deprived” them of a life of dignity and equality.
The court also noted persecution against individuals based on perceived gender identity or expressions of sexuality, which were deemed by Taliban authorities to contradict their ideology.
Taliban Dismisses ICC Action
The Taliban swiftly rejected the ICC’s announcement. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid called the charges “nonsense,” insisting the warrants would have no bearing on the group’s commitment to Islamic law.
“The ICC warrants won’t affect the Taliban’s strong commitment and dedication to Sharia,” Mujahid said.
A Broader Crackdown on Women
After retaking control of Afghanistan in 2021, Taliban leaders promised a more moderate form of rule compared to their previous regime in the late 1990s. However, restrictions on women and girls soon returned — and intensified.
Girls were barred from attending secondary school and university, making Afghanistan the only country in the world to impose such a ban. Women were removed from government roles, prohibited from working for NGOs, and forbidden from visiting public parks, gyms, and beauty salons. New edicts even barred them from traveling long distances without a male escort.
Last year, the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued guidelines requiring women to avoid singing or reading poetry in public and to keep both their voices and bodies “concealed” outside the home.
A Landmark Step for Justice
In response to the warrants, the ICC’s prosecutor’s office described the move as a powerful recognition of the suffering endured by Afghan women and girls.
“These arrest warrants are an important vindication of their rights,” said the office. “Through the Taliban’s deprivation of fundamental rights, Afghan women and girls were increasingly erased from public life. The ICC’s action affirms that their voices matter.”
Human rights advocates also praised the decision. Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard said the warrants bring hope to Afghan women, while Human Rights Watch’s Liz Evenson noted that the ICC’s move proves “when justice is supported, victims can have their day in court.”
The ICC has no enforcement arm and relies on member states to make arrests. Still, the warrants restrict the Taliban leaders’ ability to travel internationally without risk of detention.
Prosecutor Karim Khan has said more Taliban officials could face charges as investigations continue.
