RASC News Agency: In the wake of the Taliban’s case being referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Chief Prosecutor of the court met with a delegation of Afghanistani women activists in The Hague on Thursday, promising them significant developments regarding Afghanistan in the near future. The ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan, offered hope to Afghanistani women, asserting that the court’s upcoming decisions would partially address their anguish. He emphasized that Afghanistani women have the undeniable right to see those who have oppressed them and violated their fundamental rights face justice.
Addressing member states of the ICC in a previous session, Khan reiterated the court’s commitment to addressing gross violations of human rights and international law in Afghanistan. He indicated that deliberations on issuing arrest warrants against senior Taliban leaders were underway and nearing resolution. Earlier, nations including Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Mexico formally referred the situation in Afghanistan, particularly concerning women’s rights violations, to the ICC. The court has confirmed its receipt of the referral, underscoring the gravity of the case.
These countries have expressed hope that the ICC will take decisive action by issuing arrest warrants for Taliban leaders responsible for “systematic violence” against women and the enforcement of “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan. During his meeting with Afghanistani women activists, Karim Khan conveyed optimism, stating, “You will soon hear critical updates about your country.” He further remarked, “We trust that the court’s decisions will alleviate some of the immense pain and suffering endured by the Afghanistani people, especially women, and ensure that those who perpetrated these heinous crimes are held accountable under the law.”
While the Prosecutor refrained from directly naming the Taliban, the group’s policies systematically depriving Afghanistani women of their basic rights form the crux of the investigation. Khan and his team are diligently pursuing the case, signaling the possibility of unprecedented accountability for those responsible for widespread oppression and human rights violations in Afghanistan.
