On July 8, 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for two high-ranking Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. The warrants target Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, the president of the Supreme Court. These leaders are accused of crimes against humanity, specifically gender-based persecution.
The ICC judges determined there were reasonable grounds to suspect the leaders of persecuting women, girls, and gender non-conforming individuals since the Taliban regained power in 2021. This persecution includes severe restrictions on education, freedom of movement, and expression. It also involves violations of women's and girls' privacy and family life.
In response, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the warrants, calling them "baseless rhetoric." He stated the Taliban government does not recognize the ICC's authority. Simultaneously, on July 7, 2025, the UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution. It called on the Taliban to end repressive policies against women and girls and dismantle terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan.
The resolution passed with 116 votes in favor, 2 against (the United States and Israel), and 12 abstentions. This reflects global condemnation of the Taliban's human rights violations. These violations include the ban on girls' education beyond the sixth grade and restrictions on women's participation in public life since the Taliban's return to power in 2021.
These developments follow the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan's, request in January 2025 to reopen the investigation into Afghanistan. The investigation focuses on alleged crimes by the Taliban and the Islamic State of Khorasan Province. It de-prioritizes previous allegations against US forces. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have welcomed these actions. They see them as important steps towards justice for Afghan women and girls.
However, the effective implementation of these arrest warrants and resolutions remains uncertain. This is due to the lack of international cooperation and the Taliban's stance on the ICC's jurisdiction. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle for human rights and accountability in Afghanistan.