The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, plans to seek arrest warrants for Afghan Taliban leaders Haibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani over allegations of gender-based crimes against women and girls. Khan stated that the two men are suspected of being criminally responsible for the persecution of individuals deemed by the Taliban to not adhere to their ideological standards regarding gender. This persecution, which includes acts of murder, torture, and sexual violence, has been ongoing since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
The investigation is reportedly hindered by a lack of cooperation from Taliban authorities, and many potential informants fear retribution. The Taliban has not commented on the matter. Experts suggest that Khan’s announcement has provided hope to Afghan activists and women, signaling that there may be accountability for human rights violations. Since the Taliban’s return to power, women have faced severe restrictions, including bans on education and movement, highlighting the significant rollback of their rights under the new regime.
Source link
