The ICC has charged Taliban leaders with crimes against humanity due to harsh restrictions on women's rights, deeming Afghanistan the most restrictive country for women globally.
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders Over Women's Rights Violations
ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders Over Women's Rights Violations
The International Criminal Court has taken a significant step by issuing arrest warrants against Taliban leaders for their oppressive policies towards women and girls in Afghanistan.
Article Text:
On July 8, 2025, judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced the issuance of arrest warrants for key figures in Afghanistan's Taliban government, namely Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the chief justice. The court cites draconian restrictions placed upon women and girls in Afghanistan as compelling evidence of crimes against humanity.
The ICC's statement outlined that the Taliban have made targeted efforts to suppress women's and girls' rights based solely on their gender, stripping them of fundamental freedoms and opportunities. Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban have enforced stringent laws that effectively erase women from public life. This includes barring them from outdoor activities, workplaces, and essential public spaces such as parks and beauty salons.
Moreover, women are subjected to severe travel restrictions, requiring a male relative to accompany them for any journey beyond a certain distance. Furthermore, when venturing outside, women must be fully covered, adhering to strict dress codes. Girls' educational opportunities have dwindled significantly, as they are prohibited from attending school beyond the sixth grade.
Experts have denounced these measures, labeling Afghanistan as the most repressive country for women globally and accusing the Taliban of creating a state of "gender apartheid." The ICC judges have noted that the Taliban's harsh policies have resulted in egregious human rights violations, including acts of murder, torture, imprisonment, and sexual violence against women.
This monumental declaration by the ICC highlights the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Afghanistan and illuminates the critical need for accountability concerning human rights abuses in the region.
On July 8, 2025, judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced the issuance of arrest warrants for key figures in Afghanistan's Taliban government, namely Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the chief justice. The court cites draconian restrictions placed upon women and girls in Afghanistan as compelling evidence of crimes against humanity.
The ICC's statement outlined that the Taliban have made targeted efforts to suppress women's and girls' rights based solely on their gender, stripping them of fundamental freedoms and opportunities. Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban have enforced stringent laws that effectively erase women from public life. This includes barring them from outdoor activities, workplaces, and essential public spaces such as parks and beauty salons.
Moreover, women are subjected to severe travel restrictions, requiring a male relative to accompany them for any journey beyond a certain distance. Furthermore, when venturing outside, women must be fully covered, adhering to strict dress codes. Girls' educational opportunities have dwindled significantly, as they are prohibited from attending school beyond the sixth grade.
Experts have denounced these measures, labeling Afghanistan as the most repressive country for women globally and accusing the Taliban of creating a state of "gender apartheid." The ICC judges have noted that the Taliban's harsh policies have resulted in egregious human rights violations, including acts of murder, torture, imprisonment, and sexual violence against women.
This monumental declaration by the ICC highlights the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Afghanistan and illuminates the critical need for accountability concerning human rights abuses in the region.
