The International Criminal Court has unsealed four arrest warrants for Taliban leaders. Here is what the move means.

The ICC is a global court based in The Hague. It tries cases of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The warrants accuse Taliban leaders of crimes against humanity. A key charge is gender-based persecution.

Gender persecution means targeting people because of their gender. The ICC cites curbs on women's education and work.

The warrants were first issued under seal. Unsealing them makes the charges public.

An arrest warrant does not mean an arrest is near. The ICC has no police force of its own.

Member states are expected to arrest suspects on their soil. The Taliban leaders rarely travel abroad.

Rights groups say the warrants still matter. They call it a step toward justice for Afghan women and girls.

Past ICC warrants have taken years to enforce. Some suspects were arrested only after travelling to member states.