Yanar Muhammad returned to Baghdad a few days ago from Canada Two gunmen opened fire on her in front of her residence

Two unknown gunmen assassinated the Iraqi feminist activist Yanar Muhammad on Monday morning, in front of her home in the Al-Bonook area of Baghdad, in an incident that shocked civil society and human rights circles in the country.

Women’s Freedom Organization, which Yanar Muhammad headed, stated in an official release: "At exactly 9:00 AM, two gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on her in front of her residence, causing serious injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital and efforts to save her life, she succumbed to her injuries." The statement added: "With deep sorrow and grief, the organization mourns to the liberated public and the women’s and human rights movement locally and globally, the passing of its president, Yanar Muhammad."

Yanar Muhammad: A Voice for Justice

Yanar Muhammad dedicated her life to defending abused women and survivors of violence and human trafficking. She played a key role in establishing and managing safe houses that sheltered women fleeing oppression and exploitation, becoming a prominent voice for women in society.

Yanar Muhammad had returned to Baghdad a few days ago from Canada, where she had spent part of her life, before being assassinated, according to local media reports.

Born in Baghdad in 1960, Yanar Muhammad studied at University of Baghdad, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in 1984 and a Master’s in 1993. She was a founding member and director of the Women’s Freedom Organization in Iraq, editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Al-Musaawah”, and a member of the Iraqi Communist Party. Her human rights efforts were recognized with the Gruber Foundation Women’s Rights Award in 2008, making her one of the most prominent defenders of women’s rights in Iraq.