Akhundzada and Haqqani accused of gender persecution under Taliban rule since 2021
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban leaders, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity by systematically persecuting women and girls in Afghanistan.
According to the Hague-based court, there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani have imposed gender-based restrictions that deprive Afghan women of fundamental freedoms since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
Education and mobility restrictions among key abuses
Since reclaiming control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has banned girls over the age of 12 from attending school, barred women from most employment opportunities, and restricted their freedom of movement without a male guardian.
The ICC said these policies represent deliberate and systematic oppression based solely on gender identity, constituting crimes against humanity.
“They have specifically targeted girls and women by reason of their gender,” the court stated. “Depriving them of fundamental rights and freedoms.”
The United Nations previously labelled these actions as a form of “gender apartheid.”
Taliban dismisses ICC warrants
In response, a Taliban spokesperson rejected the court’s jurisdiction, calling the arrest warrants “a clear act of hostility” and an “insult to Islamic beliefs.”
Akhundzada, the Taliban’s supreme leader, and Haqqani, a close aide to Taliban founder Mullah Omar, have both led the implementation of hardline Islamic decrees since the U.S. withdrawal.
The Taliban claim their governance reflects Afghan culture and Sharia law, despite global condemnation and increasing isolation.
Enforcement challenges remain
The ICC does not have an enforcement mechanism and must rely on member states to detain suspects. As Afghanistan is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, executing the arrest warrants may prove challenging.
Still, human rights organizations welcomed the move.
Human Rights Watch praised the court’s action, urging it to also investigate abuses committed by Islamic State (IS-KP), former Afghan officials, and even U.S. forces during the two-decade war.
“Justice for all victims in Afghanistan is essential to break cycles of impunity,” said the group in a statement.
ICC issues arrest warrants for Taliban leaders for persecuting women and girls
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