ICC Seeks Arrest of Taliban Leaders for Gender Persecution of Women in Afghanistan

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The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan KC, has announced efforts to arrest two senior Taliban figures for their roles in the systematic persecution of women in Afghanistan. During an interview with Sky News, Khan emphasized that Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani bear "criminal responsibility" for the severe constraints imposed on women and girls since the Taliban regained power in 2021.

Khan described the charges as one of gender persecution, pointing out the "deliberate, malicious suffocation" of women's rights to education, public presence, and even basic freedoms like visiting parks or salons. He labeled the evidence against the accused as "overwhelming," asserting that their actions amount to crimes against humanity.

This announcement follows the ICC's filing of applications for arrest warrants for the two leaders. Human rights organizations have condemned Taliban policies for exacerbating restrictions on women's daily lives, including limitations on work, education, and personal freedom.

"There is no acceptable choice from a menu of options that states can choose from," Khan stated, highlighting that the systemic denial of women's rights crosses all bounds of acceptable behavior. While there is no set timeframe for the ICC judges to make a ruling on the warrants, such decisions typically take around four months.

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