Taliban Leaders Face ICC Warrants for Gender Persecution
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on July 8, 2025, for Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, accusing them of crimes against humanity for gender-based persecution of women and girls since August 2021. The ICC cited decrees banning girls’ education beyond sixth grade and restricting women’s rights to movement, expression, and privacy.
The warrants, a first for gender persecution by the ICC, also target the Taliban for attacking allies of women and those with non-conforming gender identities, like the LGBTQ+ community. Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who requested the warrants in January 2025, called the Taliban’s actions “unconscionable.” The Taliban rejected the warrants as “nonsense,” claiming the ICC shows bias against their Islamic law.
The ICC’s move follows a UN resolution on July 7, 2025, condemning Afghanistan’s “systematic oppression” of women. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, praised the warrants as a step toward justice, though enforcement is unlikely, as Akhundzada rarely travels.
Afghanistan’s probe, reopened in 2022 after the Taliban failed to investigate domestically, highlights the ICC’s focus on gender crimes. Lisa Davis, ICC’s Gender Adviser, called it historic for recognizing LGBTQ+ victims. However, non-ICC members like the US, which sanctioned the court over other cases, may limit enforcement.
The warrants signal global pressure on the Taliban but face challenges due to the ICC’s lack of police power and reliance on member states. As Afghanistan’s women face ongoing restrictions, the ICC’s action aims to hold leaders accountable, though practical impact remains uncertain.