The Hague: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban's supreme leader, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, head of Afghanistan's Supreme Court. The warrants, made public, accuse them of the crime against humanity of persecuting women and girls since the Taliban seized power nearly four years ago.
This ground-breaking move by the ICC specifically targets the systematic and widespread oppression of Afghan women and girls. Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed draconian measures, severely restricting women's rights to education, employment, freedom of movement, and public life. Girls are banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade, and women face severe limitations on their ability to work and participate in society.
The warrants also encompass the persecution of individuals perceived as allies of girls and women and those not conforming to the Taliban's gender policies, including the LGBTQI+ community. The ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, had sought these warrants in January, highlighting the unprecedented, unconscionable and ongoing persecution faced by these groups. Human rights
organisations have lauded the decision, calling it a vital step towards accountability. However, the Taliban swiftly rejected the court's authority, with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stating the decision reflects open hostility and hatred toward the holy religion of Islam and Shariah law. Despite this defiance, the warrants mean that Akhundzada and Haqqani, if they travel to any of the 124 ICC member states, could face arrest and transfer to The Hague, marking a crucial moment in the fight for justice for Afghan women.
