Taliban Spokesperson Rejects ICC Arrest Warrants for Leaders, Calling Them “Nonsense”
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has dismissed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, stating that the group does not recognize the ICC and will not comply with its rulings.
Kokcha News Agency: Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has rejected the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, calling the court’s decision “nonsense” and asserting that the Taliban does not recognize the ICC.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 16, Mujahid claimed that the ICC’s arrest warrants would have no impact on the Taliban’s position. He criticized the ICC, labeling its actions as “propaganda and nonsense.”
Mujahid also drew a comparison to the situation in Gaza, claiming that “under the supervision of international courts, hundreds of women and children are killed every day without reason.” He further stated that the human rights rhetoric of international courts is a “source of shame.”
The ICC recently issued arrest warrants for Akhundzada and Haqqani for their alleged involvement in “crimes against humanity” in Afghanistan.
Political Figures Welcome ICC Decision:
Meanwhile, Afghan political figures have welcomed the ICC’s decision. Abdullah Khenjani, head of the political office of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, described the arrest warrants as a significant step toward achieving justice.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, July 17, Khenjani stated that the entire Taliban regime must be held accountable. He emphasized that the National Resistance Front supports the ICC’s decision.
Rangin Dadfar Spanta, former National Security Advisor and Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, also reacted to the ICC’s decision, stating that the struggles of Afghan women and human rights activists have borne fruit.
In a post on X, Spanta wrote, “Whether they are arrested or not, the importance of this matter lies in the legal recognition of their (the Taliban’s) crimes.”
Amnesty International Calls for Recognition of Gender Apartheid:
Amnesty International has urged the international community to recognize gender apartheid as a crime under international law in response to the ICC’s arrest warrants for Akhundzada and Haqqani.
In a post on X, Amnesty International called for the recognition of gender apartheid to strengthen efforts in combating regimes based on systematic oppression and domination based on gender.
