In a first ICC, an arrest warrant for Taliban executives is looking for gender-specific crimes

In a historical step, the International Criminal Court (ICC) requested arrest warrants for two high -ranking Taliban leaders – the Supreme Court of Haibatullah Akhundzada and the top judge of the Supreme Court Abdul Hakim Haqqani. The ICC prosecutor Karim Khan accused her of the rome statute for crimes against humanity, in particular gender-specific persecution. This legal framework stipulates that signatories blame perpetrators of international crimes.

Systematic oppression and crimes against humanity

Khan emphasized that Afghan women, girls and members of the LGBTQ+ community experience unprecedented persecution under the Taliban regime. Since the recovery of power in 2021, the Taliban has systematically undermined women, apart from employment, public spaces and education over the age of 12. Khan understood these actions, violates fundamental rights such as personal autonomy, freedom of expression and access to education – pretreatments that have been set up in international law.

The ICCHH's application is the first time that the court officially applied for arrests against Afghan civil servants. The fees are supported by extensive evidence, including expert statements, forensic reports and official Taliban decrees. The Afghan team of the ICC, led by deputy prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan and special consultant Lisa Davis, played a key role in the examination.

According to Khan, Taliban leader used brutal repression to silence opposition. Active acts – including murder, imprisonment, torture, rape, forced disappearance and other inhumane actions – were used to maintain their power. He also emphasized that Sharia's interpretation by the Taliban cannot justify these serious violations of human rights.

Gender sports in Afghanistan

Right -wing experts prove that this is groundbreaking because it mainly focuses on systemic gender -specific persecution. Activists who have long fought against the oppressive policy of Taliban see this as a rare moment of recognition. Shucria Barakzai, a former Afghan parliamentary and activist, celebrated the step and explained that he sends a clear message: impunity for gender crimes is not tolerated.

The gender -specific suppression of the Taliban goes beyond the restrictions on work and education. You have published over 80 decrees that contain the basic freedoms of women. The latest measures have even prescribed that windows in rooms that are frequented by women are removed or covered to ensure that women remain completely invisible in public life. These guidelines have prompted to classify the actions of Taliban as “gender -apartheid” under international law.

Akila Radhakrishnan, a legal strategy in sex justice, described this case as a milestone. While the ICC previously pursued gender -specific crimes, this is the first instance in which the focus is on persecution of the sexes. “As a rule, gender crimes were presented in larger cases. In this case, however, it is emphasized how these violations systematically contribute to this“, She said.

No immediate consequences, but a powerful message

Despite the historical character of this step, right -wing experts recognize that the arrest warrants may not lead to direct arrests. Akhundzada rarely leaves his stronghold in Kandahar, and the Taliban have always opposed the international pressure regarding their treatment of women. However, experts argue that arrest warrants have an important function – they stigmatize the Taliban actions on the global stage.

“This makes it clear that it means«, Said Radhakrishnan. “Everyone who supports them is now noted that these are not just human rights violations – they are international crimes. “”

Afghan women who have suffered the persecution and exile see the step of the ICC as a lengthy recognition of their struggle. Zahra Haqparast, an activist who was imprisoned in 2022 for protests by Taliban restrictions, reacted with relief. “These are the best news that I have heard since the Taliban. I was so overjoyed when I heard the news that I forgot that my lunch was cooked and ultimately burned it“, She said.

Demands a broader justice

While the ICC campaign is a step towards accountability, many Afghan activists believe that this is not sufficient. The Taliban crimes are just one chapter in the long history of conflict and human rights violations in Afghanistan. Shaharzad Akbar, Managing Director of the Afghan Human Rights Organization Rawadari, emphasized the need for broader justice.

“This is historical, but it leaves many victims of war crimes that have been committed over four decades“, She said. “Justice must be persecuted for everyone who has suffered, not only under the Taliban, but also among previous regimes and warlords, who have committed the atrocities. “”

What's next?

The preliminary procedure of the ICC will now assess whether the evidence presented submitted reasonable reasons for the issue of arrest warrants. If the arrest warrants are approved, the ICC will work with the international authorities to pursue the arrest of the Taliban leaders. Prosecutor Khan also announced that further applications for other high -ranking Taliban numbers are underway.

While justice may not be direct, Afghan activists insist that this is only the beginning. As Heather Barr of Human Rights Watch explained, “Afghan women and girls were left too long. This is a step in the right direction, but full justice not only means responsibility for crimes, but an end to the Taliban suppression. “”