ICC publishes 4 arrest warrants for Taliban figures — UN News

The International Criminal Court has published four arrest warrants for Taliban representatives in a case concerning the alleged persecution of women, girls and other people in Afghanistan. As UN News reports, the warrants concern Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, Taliban Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, as well as Habibullah Agha and Neda Mohammad Nadeem.

Suspected crime against humanity

The court said it has reasonable grounds to believe that all four are criminally responsible for ordering, inducing or soliciting persecution. Such actions may qualify as a crime against humanity under Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute.

According to the judges’ assessment, persecution was carried out on gender grounds against women, girls and people who did not conform to the Taliban de facto government’s policy on gender, gender identity or expression. The court also said that people considered allies of women and girls were persecuted for political reasons.

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Restrictions on rights and freedoms

According to the ICC, the alleged crimes were committed in Afghanistan from 15 August 2021, when the Taliban seized power, until at least 20 January 2025. The judges noted that Taliban policy resulted in serious violations of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the civilian population related to killings, imprisonment, torture, rape and enforced disappearances.

Through decrees and orders, women and girls were significantly restricted in their rights to education, private and family life, as well as in their freedom of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion, the court concluded. People whose expressions of sexuality or gender identity were considered contrary to Taliban policy were also targeted.

The ICC Prosecutor requested the first two warrants on 23 January 2025, and the judges issued them on 8 July of the same year. The documents were initially classified to protect victims, witnesses and the proceedings, although the court had announced their existence. All four warrants were issued between July and September 2025.