The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Taliban leaders Haibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, accusing them of persecuting Afghan women and girls. The ICC cites the Taliban's oppressive policies since August 2021, including barring girls from education and severely restricting women's freedoms. The Taliban rejects the warrants, calling them "nonsense." The ICC's action marks the first time an international tribunal has recognized LGBTQ+ individuals as victims of gender persecution, a move praised by human rights groups.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.