ICC Seeks Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders as Global Advocacy Grows

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step in the fight for Afghan women’s rights, seeking arrest warrants for the Taliban’s supreme leader and Afghanistan’s chief justice on charges of crimes against humanity. This unprecedented move recognises the Taliban’s systemic oppression of women and girls as a grave international crime, offering a rare moment of validation for Afghan activists who have long fought against their erasure. Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Afghan women have faced sweeping restrictions affecting every aspect of their lives—from education and employment to healthcare, public spaces, and access to justice. 1. A newly released interactive graphic sheds light on their reality, offering a harrowing glimpse into life under the Taliban’s gender segregation. Through the lens of a burqa, the visual tool provides a comprehensive overview of Talibanimposed restrictions, linking directly to the United States Institute Of Peace’s extensive documentation of their rules and orders. In response to the deepening oppression, Guardian Live will host a special panel discussion on March 26, featuring renowned journalist Emma Graham-Harrison, Afghan journalist and activist Zahra Joya, bestselling author Elif Shafak, and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig. The discussion will explore the historical and ongoing silencing of women, the resilience of those resisting oppression, and the urgent need for gender apartheid to be officially recognised as an international crime. The Guardian Live will donate 50% of the event proceeds to Rukhshana Media, an Afghan women’s media organisation that reports on and for Afghan women, amplifies their voices, and campaigns for their rights on the global stage. As Afghan women continue to be pushed into invisibility and silence, this moment demands international action. Will the world finally listen? *For more information about the Guardian Live event, please click on the link below. https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-live-events/2025/jan/08/the-silencing-of-women-withsandi-toksvig-elif-shafak-and-zahra-joya  

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Image by ©Leticia Cox