ICC Seeks Arrest Warrants for Senior Taliban Leaders Over Gender-Based Persecution
On Thursday, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan formally requested arrest warrants for two prominent Taliban officials: Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani. The two leaders face accusations of crimes against humanity, specifically gender-based persecution, under the Rome Statute—a treaty obligating signatory states to prosecute those responsible for international crimes.
“These applications highlight the unprecedented and ongoing persecution faced by Afghan women, girls, and members of the LGBTQI+ community under the Taliban’s rule,” Khan stated in a press release.
A Systematic Stripping of Rights
Since their return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have enacted oppressive regulations that systematically strip women and girls of fundamental rights. These include prohibiting them from employment, banning access to public spaces, and barring education for girls beyond the age of 12. The ICC Prosecutor emphasized that such measures represent severe deprivations of basic rights like physical autonomy, freedom of expression, and access to education—rights enshrined in international law.
A Landmark Step Against Impunity
This marks the first time the ICC has sought arrest warrants in relation to Afghanistan’s ongoing human rights crisis. The filings rest on extensive evidence, including expert testimony, forensic reports, and Taliban-issued decrees.
The ICC’s Afghanistan team, led by Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan and Special Adviser on Gender and Discriminatory Crimes Lisa Davis, played a key role in the investigation. Prosecutor Khan outlined that these crimes are committed alongside other violations specified under the Rome Statute, such as murder, imprisonment, torture, rape, enforced disappearances, and other inhumane acts.
He further stressed that the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia—the Islamic legal system—cannot justify such violations of fundamental human rights. Resistance or opposition to their regime continues to be met with brutal repression.
Honoring Victims’ Resilience
Khan praised the bravery of Afghan victims and witnesses who cooperated with the ICC’s investigation. He also acknowledged the critical support of Afghan civil society and international partners in the pursuit of justice.
“In making these applications, I wish to honor the remarkable courage and resilience of Afghan victims and witnesses,” Khan said. He reiterated the ICC’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that these individuals are not forgotten, affirming the equal value of all lives under international law.
What Comes Next
The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber will now assess whether there are reasonable grounds to proceed with the arrest warrants for the named individuals. If approved, the Registrar will collaborate with the Prosecutor’s Office in efforts to apprehend the accused.
Khan also revealed plans to submit further applications targeting additional senior Taliban leaders. “Afghan victims and survivors have endured injustice for far too long,” he concluded.
This development represents a significant step toward accountability and justice for the countless Afghan victims of gender-based persecution and other human rights abuses under the Taliban’s rule.
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