Rawaari Welcomes Arrest Warrants for Two Taliban Acting Ministers
The human rights organisation Rawaari has welcomed the public release of arrest warrants for Habibullah Agha and Nada Mohammad Nadim, saying it is an important step toward holding those responsible for widespread human rights violations in Afghanistan to account.
In a statement on Tuesday, 14 October, Rawaari said the warrants were issued on charges of “gender persecution” against women and girls, as well as the harassment and persecution of people who have opposed the Taliban administration’s discriminatory policies on women’s rights.
The organisation 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.
Rawaari also warned that women and girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of basic rights over the past five years, including education, work, freedom of movement and participation in social and public life, a situation it said has had broad social and humanitarian consequences for society.
The organisation also expressed appreciation for women and girls, families of victims, human rights defenders, civil society activists and journalists who have continued documenting human rights violations and pursuing justice.
Rawaari stressed that allegations of serious human rights violations and international crimes must be investigated independently, impartially and in accordance with legal standards.
The International Criminal Court on Monday, 13 October, made public arrest warrants for Habibullah Agha, the Taliban administration’s acting minister of education, and Nada Mohammad Nadim, its acting minister of higher education.
These warrants come after arrest warrants were issued for Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, head of the Taliban administration’s judiciary.
