Human rights organization Rawadari has welcomed the arrest warrants issued for two Taliban ministers, calling them an important step toward accountability for allegations of crimes against humanity in Afghanistan.
Rawadari said in a statement on Tuesday, October 6, that the two warrants were issued over allegations of “gender persecution” against women and girls, as well as the harassment and persecution of individuals who have opposed the Taliban’s discriminatory policies on women’s rights.
Rawadari called on governments to take the International Criminal Court’s decision seriously and support international judicial processes to combat “impunity” and ensure victims have access to justice.
The organization said Afghan women and girls have been deprived of fundamental rights over the past five years, including access to education, employment, freedom of movement and participation in social and public life.
Rawadari also expressed appreciation for women and girls, victims’ families, human rights defenders, civil society activists and journalists who have continued to document human rights violations and advocate for victims.
The organization emphasized that allegations of serious human rights violations and international crimes should be investigated independently, impartially and in accordance with legal standards.
The International Criminal Court on Monday, October 5, made public the arrest warrants for Habibullah Agha, the Taliban’s minister of education, and Nida Mohammad Nadim, the Taliban’s minister of higher education.
The arrest warrants for Habibullah Agha and Nida Mohammad Nadim were issued following the warrants for Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, head of the Taliban judiciary.
