ICC unseals arrest warrants for Afghan Taliban education ministers accused of gender-based persecution

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has unsealed arrest warrants for two Afghan Taliban officials accused of gender-based persecution. The warrants were issued in September 2025 for Habibullah Agha, the Minister of Education, and Neda Mohammad Nadeem, the Minister of Higher Education. These officials were charged with crimes against humanity for restricting women and girls' access to education under the Taliban's regime.

The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber II decided to unseal these warrants after determining that it would not hinder ongoing investigations. The court believes that the suspects committed persecution based on gender against women, girls, and others whose gender expression or identity did not align with the Taliban's policies. This decision comes after the ICC issued warrants in July 2025 for the Taliban's Supreme Leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, and the Supreme Court President, Abdul Hakim Haqqani.

The unsealed warrants are expected to increase international pressure on the Taliban government. The restrictions on education have had severe consequences for Afghans, with many women and girls forced to stay at home and face mental health issues. Afghan universities have become male-only zones, and women are increasingly absent from public life, subject to strict dress codes and male guardianship.