ICC Issues Arrest Warrants Against Taliban Leaders

On 9th July 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against two top Taliban leaders, including supreme spiritual leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, for alleged crimes against humanity, particularly the persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan.

The ICC stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Haibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the Taliban’s chief justice, committed gender-based crimes, targeting women and girls who do not conform to their restrictive ideology.
This marks the first time the ICC has issued arrest warrants on charges of gender persecution, elevating the global legal framework protecting women’s rights.
The alleged crimes stem from policies enforced by the Taliban since their return to power in 2021, which have severely curtailed women’s education, employment, and personal freedoms.
According to the ICC, while many of the Taliban’s restrictions apply broadly, girls and women have been especially and systematically persecuted based on gender, violating their fundamental human rights.
The court confirmed that the full details and specific incidents underpinning the arrest warrants remain sealed to protect the identities and safety of witnesses and victims.