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ICC moves to hold Taliban accountable for stripping Afghan women of basic rights and freedoms
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step by seeking arrest warrants for senior Taliban leaders, accusing them of widespread and systematic persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan.
According to ICC judges, the Taliban regime has “severely deprived” Afghan women of fundamental rights, including access to education, freedom of movement, and personal privacy. The charges also highlight restrictions on freedom of expression, religion, and family life, which have intensified since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
This marks one of the first times gender-based oppression has been used as a central charge in an international legal action. The court stated that the Taliban’s policies and enforcement mechanisms amount to a coordinated campaign of gender persecution under international law.
Human rights organizations have long warned of deteriorating conditions for Afghan women, many of whom have been barred from schools, universities, and workplaces. The ICC’s move could set a precedent for holding political regimes accountable for institutionalized gender-based repression.
Taliban officials have not responded publicly to the ICC’s actions, but the warrants are expected to raise diplomatic tensions and could limit the international movement of the accused leaders.
The ICC emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that further action may be taken as more evidence comes to light. The move is being seen globally as a powerful signal against impunity for crimes targeting women and girls.