ICC Makes Arrest Warrants for Four Taliban Leaders has made Public

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has made public formal arrest warrants for four Taliban leaders, including Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, over alleged atrocities and serious violations of fundamental human rights against women, girls and other people in Afghanistan. Reuters, citing the International Criminal Court, reported that arrest warrants for Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani were issued on July 8, 2025, while warrants for Education Minister Habibullah Agha and Higher Education Minister Nida Mohammad Nadim were issued on September 9, 2025.

According to ICC officials and judges, there is evidence that the four individuals were directly responsible for ordering and implementing serious crimes against humanity on gender and political grounds, including murder, imprisonment, torture, enforced disappearance and the deprivation of fundamental freedoms. ICC judges have pointed out that policies implemented in Afghanistan since the Taliban established their government on August 15, 2021, and continuing until at least January 20, 2025, had a severe impact on the lives and freedoms of the general population, particularly women.

Supporters of Women and Girls Also Targeted

According to the court, Afghan women and girls were effectively deprived of fundamental rights, including access to education, employment, freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and religious and intellectual freedoms. People perceived to be supporters of women and girls were also targeted. Former ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the warrants last year, arguing that Afghan women, girls and people who do not conform to traditional gender norms were facing persecution by the Taliban, which constitutes a crime against humanity under international law.

The ICC's action has drawn a strong reaction from the Afghan government.

Afghan government chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid strongly condemned the court's decision and the arrest warrants in a statement posted on X, making clear that Afghanistan does not recognize any institution or court established under the name of an international court and does not attach any importance to its positions or decisions. He further emphasized that Afghanistan is bound only by Islamic Sharia and the decisions of its own Afghan courts, and not by orders from any foreign or so-called international institutions or intelligence agencies.