• The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Taliban leaders for systematic persecution of women and girls.
• Charges include severe restrictions on education, freedom of movement, and expression for women.
• The Taliban has rejected the warrants, calling them "nonsense" and asserting their commitment to sharia law.
• Human rights organizations have called the ICC's actions a critical step toward justice for victims.
• The arrest warrants follow a UN resolution urging the Taliban to reverse oppressive policies against women.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two top Taliban leaders, Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity related to the persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan. The ICC has stated there are "reasonable grounds" to believe these leaders have implemented systematic and discriminatory policies against women since the Taliban regained power on August 15, 2021, according to Dawn and Los Angeles Times.

These warrants come in light of the Taliban's severe restrictions on women's rights, which have included barring girls from secondary education and prohibiting women from many professions. This has led to Afghanistan being labeled as practicing "gender apartheid" by the United Nations, according to statements from the ICC and Al Jazeera. The ICC noted that these actions have deprived women of their fundamental rights and freedoms, including education and freedom of movement.

In a bold statement, Kareem Khan, the ICC's chief prosecutor, highlighted the unprecedented persecution faced by Afghan women and girls, as well as LGBTQI+ individuals. He condemned the Taliban’s actions as “unconscionable” during the request for arrest warrants submitted earlier this year, reports BBC and India Times.

The Taliban's reaction to the ICC's announcement has been one of defiance, dismissing the warrants as “nonsense” and stating their commitment to sharia law remains unaffected. The government spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, further declared that the Taliban does not recognize the ICC, as noted by TRT Global and India Times.

Human rights organizations have expressed support for the ICC’s actions, emphasizing the importance of holding those responsible accountable. Activists from groups such as Human Rights Watch have called the warrants a critical milestone towards securing justice for Afghan women and girls and addressing the cycle of violence and impunity in the region, according to Los Angeles Times and BBC.