Janice R. Andrews
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is pursuing justice for Afghan women and girls by seeking arrest warrants against top Taliban leaders. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced plans to hold Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani accountable for alleged crimes against humanity, citing their roles in enforcing oppressive policies.
Charges of Gender-Based Persecution
According to Mr. Khan, there are strong grounds to believe Akhundzada and Haqqani are responsible for crimes including persecution based on gender, targeting individuals who defy the Taliban’s strict ideology, and suppressing advocates for women’s rights. The alleged acts include murder, torture, imprisonment, rape, enforced disappearances, and other inhumane practices.
With Afghanistan’s judicial system under Taliban control, the ICC is stepping in to ensure accountability. Judges will now decide whether to issue the arrest warrants sought by the prosecutor.
Profiles of the Accused
Haibatullah Akhundzada has been the Taliban’s supreme leader since 2016 and leads the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. His militant activities began in the 1980s during Afghanistan’s resistance against Soviet forces. Abdul Hakim Haqqani, a close associate of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, was instrumental in the group’s 2020 negotiations with U.S. officials.
A Grim Reality for Afghan Women
Since reclaiming power in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls. Afghanistan remains the only nation barring girls from secondary and higher education, affecting over 1.5 million students. Women have also been excluded from public spaces, including parks, gyms, and workplaces, and have been banned from training in professions such as nursing and midwifery.
Women are required to follow strict dress codes, cannot travel without male chaperones, and face severe penalties for defying these rules. The crackdown on dissent has included imprisonment, torture, and other acts of violence.
Global Reactions and Implications
The Taliban has not yet commented on the ICC’s announcement. However, the international community continues to condemn the regime’s human rights violations. Despite being in power, the Taliban government has not received formal recognition from any foreign state, complicating efforts to bring its leaders to justice.
This case marks a pivotal moment for the ICC, as it underscores the importance of addressing gender-based persecution as a crime against humanity. If arrest warrants are issued, it could set a new standard for holding oppressive regimes accountable on the global stage.
The world now watches as the ICC’s actions unfold, hoping for justice for the countless Afghan women and girls who have suffered under the Taliban’s rule.
