The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, citing crimes against humanity for widespread gender-based persecution in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber II said there are reasonable grounds to believe that both leaders were responsible for institutionalised discrimination and systemic abuses targeting women, girls, and those perceived as political opponents.
The charges are based on violations under Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute, which defines persecution based on gender and political grounds as crimes against humanity. The Chamber found that, from August 15, 2021 – when the Taliban seized power – to at least January 20, 2025, the group implemented decrees and edicts that deprived women and girls of basic rights, including education, freedom of movement, expression, and access to public life.
“Girls and women were severely deprived of the rights to education, privacy and family life, and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion,” the Court’s statement read.
The ICC further noted that individuals identified as supporters of women’s rights or those who challenged Taliban gender norms were also subjected to persecution, often labelled as political dissidents and targeted accordingly.
The Chamber emphasized that gender-based persecution includes more than just physical violence. It also encompasses “systemic and institutionalised forms of harm” rooted in societal norms designed to oppress and marginalise.
The Court authorised public disclosure of the warrants, despite them remaining under seal to protect witnesses and victims. It stated that revealing their existence is “in the interests of justice” and may help deter further violations.
This development is among the most significant legal actions taken against Afghanistan’s de facto rulers since the Taliban regained control. The ICC has been examining the situation in Afghanistan for years, and this move signals a serious step toward accountability for human rights violations, particularly against women and girls who have borne the brunt of Taliban rule.
