ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders Over Persecution of Women
ICC Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders Over Persecution of Women
What's happening? The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has filed for the arrest warrants of Taliban leaders in Afghanistan, including Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, for crimes against humanity over the persecution of women and girls. Why should you care? This move by the ICC prosecutor signals that the status quo for women and girls in Afghanistan is not acceptable. The Taliban has been imposing heavy restrictions on women and girls, which have almost entirely excluded them from public life. What's next? ICC judges will now consider the prosecutor's application before deciding whether to issue a warrant. This process could take weeks or even months. The court relies on its 125 member states to carry out its arrest warrants -- with mixed results.