The Taliban have rejected the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s decision to arrest top officials of their terror group, claiming the charges were baseless. In a statement, they criticized the ICC for lacking legal basis and being politically motivated, accusing it of ignoring the region’s religious and cultural values. They also emphasized that more attention should be paid to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza war.
The move by the Taliban was widely welcomed by women’s rights groups in Afghanistan but raised concerns from those within previous Afghan governments. They expressed fear that the ICC’s actions could encourage future terrorist groups to target global powers for credibility.
In a separate development, the Taliban has severely restricted women’s rights since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Women are banned from employment, education, and certain social activities, with foreign NGOs now required to comply with these measures. Since March 2022, girls have been barred from primary education, and women training as midwives were expelled from schools last year. Additionally, women’s access to gyms and salons has been closed, while the government has also banned divorce of victims of child marriage, forcing them to return to their ex-husbands.
The Taliban’s decision to reject ICC’s arrest warrant highlights their ongoing struggle to balance international pressure with their commitment to cultural values. Meanwhile, the erosion of women’s rights under Taliban rule continues to Draws criticism and Calls for international intervention.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-839103