ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders Over Gender Persecution

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban leaders, Hibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, citing reasonable grounds to believe they have committed crimes against humanity through the systematic persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan. This landmark decision, announced on July 8, 2025, marks the first time the ICC has issued warrants specifically addressing charges of gender persecution.

Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban has instituted severe restrictions on the rights of women and girls, including barring them from public spaces and education beyond the sixth grade. The ICC alleges that these actions constitute a targeted approach against women, denying them fundamental rights and freedoms as detailed in a statement by the court.

The warrants also encompass accusations of persecution against individuals who do not conform to the Taliban's strict gender policies, including members of the LGBTQI+ community and those perceived as allies of women. According to the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, this decision reflects an important acknowledgment of the ongoing persecution faced by Afghan women and girls. In a press statement, he stated, "The Taliban’s actions are part of a broader pattern of repression that must be addressed at the international level."

Human rights organizations welcomed the issuance of the arrest warrants, urging the international community to take action. Liz Evenson, the International Justice Director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the importance of enforcing these warrants, describing the leaders as "wanted men for their alleged persecution of women, girls, and gender-nonconforming people."

The ICC's prosecution office had reopened its investigation into Afghanistan in 2022, following the Taliban's resurgence, due to concerns about the lack of effective domestic investigations into human rights abuses. This renewed inquiry reflects international apprehensions regarding the Taliban’s ability to govern without resorting to systematic oppression of certain groups.

In response, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the warrants, asserting that the group does not recognize the authority of the ICC and considers its jurisdiction invalid. He stated, "We neither recognize anything by the name of an international court nor do we consider ourselves bound by it."

The ICC's actions come amid a broader international dialogue regarding the Taliban's treatment of women and the need for accountability. Just hours before the warrants were issued, the United Nations adopted a resolution calling for the Taliban to reverse their oppressive policies against women and girls, highlighting the growing global concern over human rights violations in Afghanistan.

As the situation unfolds, the implications of the ICC’s actions are significant, potentially paving the way for increased international pressure on the Taliban. Observers note that the international community must now consider how to effectively enforce these warrants and what actions may follow to improve the human rights situation in Afghanistan. The ICC's decisions will likely influence future diplomatic relations and humanitarian efforts in the region, with many advocating for a unified global stance against the Taliban's oppressive measures.

The ICC’s decision also fits within a larger context of international accountability, following similar actions against leaders accused of war crimes, such as the arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin. As the global community watches closely, the enforcement of these warrants could represent a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for human rights in Afghanistan and beyond.