Presentation of Judgment Session of
Permanent People’s Tribunal for Women of Afghanistan.
11th December 2025
The Hague, Netherlands

People's Tribunals, unlike official international courts, lack binding judicial authority, and their decisions typically include recommendations or are advisory, or symbolic in nature. However, in many cases, these tribunals' jurisdictional scope is broader than that of official international courts. For example, the International Criminal Court (ICC) only holds jurisdiction over specific individuals under certain conditions for specific issues, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) only addresses disputes between states. In contrast, People's Tribunals may issue judgments concerning both individual responsibility of natural persons and the collective responsibility of groups and states. Unlike official international courts, whose legality and legitimacy stem from their founding documents and operations within those frameworks, People's Tribunals derive their credibility and legitimacy from public support, victim participation, transparency, independence, and the expertise of their members.

The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal (PPT) is an independent international body that operates with the support of the Lelio and Lislie Basso Foundation. This tribunal was established as a legal framework based on global public opinion, empowered to render decisions regarding severe crimes against people and minorities. The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal emerged in 1979 as the successor to the Russell Tribunals, which were created to judge crimes committed by the United States and other actors during the Vietnam war. Among People's Tribunals, the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal holds a unique and significant position due to its permanence, composition of members, and presence of affiliated renowned international specialists. To date, this tribunal has globally conducted over 50 hearings, addressing a wide range of legal and specialized topics. These include war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, as well as economic, environmental, and organized crimes. In the past, two sessions held by this tribunal focused on the former Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan and the Afghan people's right to self-determination and territorial integrity. These took place in Stockholm, Sweden (1981), and Paris, France (1982), respectively.

Although both options fundamentally originate from the people and derive their legitimacy and credibility from the support of public opinion and expertise of their members, the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal was selected as it is a reputable, permanent international body commanding significant gravitas. This tribunal was established based on the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Peoples, adopted in Algiers in 1976. It is recognized globally as an important and credible authority given its distinguished international experts reflecting the highest professional calibre and expertise in drawing global attention to people's rights and victims’ support. Given these factors, the decisions issued by this tribunal will play a significant role in drawing global public attention to widespread and severe violations of women's and girls' rights in Afghanistan. They will also provide necessary recommendations and advice, leading to effective measures towards accountability and achieving justice in Afghanistan.

The tribunal will focus on the international crimes against humanity of gender persecution, which the Taliban have allegedly committed against women and girls in Afghanistan. Additionally, it will examine Afghanistan's violations of international obligations under treaties related to women's and girls' rights, which the Taliban have disregarded and violated, and global implications. Furthermore, the tribunal will thoroughly investigate the violations of Afghan women's and girls' rights from the perspective of Islamic teachings. This inquiry will cover the period from August 15, 2021, to the present. These issues have been identified for the tribunal’s examination due to the ongoing and escalating commission of crimes and human rights violations against women and girls in Afghanistan, and the urgent need for accountability in this situation. These widespread violations have had profound, lasting, and irreparable effects on women and girls, and consequently on Afghanistan itself. We believe no solution exists other than ending this situation and holding the perpetrators accountable for these crimes. Conducting these hearings and gaining practical experience in designing and implementing People's Tribunals will also provide Afghan civil society organizations with the opportunity to organize future People's Tribunals on other past or ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan.

This tribunal holds immense significance because it will be addressing one of the most critical and agonizing issues of human conscience, : the commission of crimes against humanity and the widespread and systematic violation of human rights against women and girls in Afghanistan. This issue is not only a crucial turning point for Afghanistan and its future but also for all societies committed to human principles and values. Given the serious consequence of the international community ignoring the plight of Afghan women and girls and harmful cross-border consequences, this tribunal can play a significant role in drawing global public attention to the human rights situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. By providing necessary recommendations, it can prompt effective actions towards accountability and achieving justice in the country. As discussed, while this tribunal's decisions are not legally binding or enforceable, they can spark fundamental transformations and changes in Afghanistan, leading to the following significant outcomes. • A documented and credible picture of the human rights situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, ensuring that victims' voices and demands are not forgotten. • Diplomatic pressure on decision-makers in various countries and international organizations to adopt effective and decisive measures against the Taliban. This includes conditioning diplomatic and political engagement on their adherence to fundamental human rights principles, especially the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls. • Evidence and documentation gathered in this tribunal can serve as a credible basis for initiating or supporting ongoing investigations by official judicial bodies, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and for pursuing victims' complaints in third countries. • Strengthen and accelerate existing international processes for justice and accountability for the Taliban’s violations of international law. It will also advocate for the establishment of new mechanisms to address crimes against humanity and systematic human rights violations against Afghan women and girls that have not yet been activated. • Training and capacity building for civil society organizations in human rights documentation, launching other forms of advocacy, and ensuring accountability and justice. • Strengthening the element of hope in the civil struggle of the Afghan people, especially our country's pioneering women and girls, towards ending existing suffering and inequalities.