In brief
The I.C.C. announced arrest warrants for Taliban leaders due to gender-based oppression in Afghanistan, marking a significant legal response to women's rights violations.
In a groundbreaking move, judges at the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.) have issued arrest warrants for the leaders of Afghanistan's Taliban government, Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada and top justice official Abdul Hakim Haqqani. This action stems from their harsh restrictions on women and girls, characterized by the I.C.C. as crimes against humanity.Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, the rights of women have been systematically eroded. They are banned from speaking in public, working in most jobs, and enjoying access to parks and salons. Moreover, women must always be accompanied by a male relative when traveling long distances and are required to wear full-body coverings in public.With over half the population of Afghanistan affected, experts have branded the situation as gender apartheid, making it the most oppressive environment for women anywhere in the world. The court highlighted that such policies have led to severe human rights abuses, including murder, torture, and forced disappearances, all targeting the rights of women and girls.
