Afghan Taliban foreign ministry condemns ICC arrest warrants for leaders

Like many other decisions of the (ICC), it is devoid of a fair legal basis, is a matter of double standards, and is politically motivated,

said a statement from the Foreign Ministry posted on X/Twitter

They may tell their followers that their beliefs are so powerful they have provoked the collective opposition of global powers,

Mohammad Halim Fidai, a governor of four provinces before the Taliban takeover, wrote on X/Twitter

This misbehavior further destroys the weak credibility of the said structure (ICC) and makes its status and position at the international level completely meaningless,

the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry statement claimed, condemning the ICC’s inattention at the alleged war crimes committed by the country’s previous administration

This is a crucial step to hold accountable all those allegedly responsible for the gender-based deprivation of fundamental rights to education, to free movement and free expression, to private and family life, to free assembly,

said Agnes Callamard, Amnesty’s secretary-general

It is unfortunate that such baseless allegations are being leveled against the honorable leaders of the Islamic Emirate [Taliban government] at a time when Afghanistan enjoys nationwide peace, its people have breathed a sigh of relief … and numerous other miseries and inhumane activities have been eradicated,

the Taliban ministry asserted

If these were fair and true courts, they should have brought America to the court, because it is America that has caused wars, the issues of the world are caused by America,

he said at an event in eastern Khost city attended by an AFP journalist

It is regrettable that during the two decades of occupation in Afghanistan, this institution (ICC) turned a blind eye to the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by foreign forces and their domestic allies."

The Taliban-led foreign ministry statement added

This decision risks contributing to perceptions of a selective approach to international justice which prioritises the interests of powerful states and their allies over the right to justice of victims of crimes under international law,

she said

It has been 1,225 days — soon to be four years — since authorities imposed a ban that prevents girls above the age of 12 from attending school,

said the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva

We consider this achievement a symbol of the strength and will of Afghan women and believe this step will start a new chapter of accountability and justice in the country,

the group said

But in terms of international reputation of the Taliban, this basically means a complete erosion of their international legitimacy, if they had any,

he said

Karim Ahmad Khanchief prosecutor

The judges of the International Criminal Court will now determine whether these applications for arrest warrants establish reasonable grounds to believe that the named individuals committed the alleged crimes. If the judges issue the warrants, my Office will work closely with the Registrar in all efforts to arrest the individuals, ... as in

Khan said, adding

This is an important moment for Afghan women and girls who have been waiting much too long for justice,

HRW’s women’s rights deputy director, Heather Barr, told AFP, calling for "other efforts to hold the Taliban fully accountable".

Karim Ahmad Khanchief prosecutor

My Office has concluded that these two Afghan nationals are criminally responsible for persecuting Afghan girls and women … and persons whom the Taliban perceived as allies of girls and women,

Khan stated

Three years after the Taliban retook power, their systematic violations of women and girls' rights... have accelerated with complete impunity,

said Liz Evenson, HRW's international justice director

Perceived resistance or opposition to the Taliban was, and is, brutally repressed through the commission of crimes including murder, imprisonment, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, enforced disappearance, and other inhumane acts,

he said

Afghan women and girls as well as the LGBTQI+ community are facing an unprecedented, unconscionable and ongoing persecution by the Taliban. Our action signals that the status quo for women and girls in Afghanistan is not acceptable,

the prosecutor said