Iraqi Women’s Rights Activist Yanar Mohammed Killed in Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Yanar Mohammed, a prominent Iraqi women’s rights activist and co-founder of the Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI), was shot and killed outside her home in northern Baghdad on March 2, 2026. She was 66 years old. The assassination has sparked condemnation from Amnesty International, which warns of a chilling pattern of targeted violence against activists in Iraq.
Mohammed dedicated her life to advocating for women’s rights in a country grappling with deep-seated gender inequality. OWFI has been at the forefront of efforts to challenge discriminatory laws and practices, including recent contentious amendments to the Personal Status Law, which came into effect in February 2025.
“The brutal killing of Yanar Mohammed is a calculated assault to stifle human rights defenders, especially those defending women’s rights,” said Razaw Salihy, Amnesty International’s Iraq Researcher. “The Iraqi authorities must stop this pattern of targeted attacks and take seriously the sustained smear campaigns designed to discredit and endanger activists.”
The killing follows a disturbing trend Amnesty International has documented since 2019, during and after the Tishreen protests. The organization notes a persistent failure by Iraqi authorities to hold perpetrators accountable for past assassinations, creating a climate of impunity that puts activists at grave risk.
“Human rights defenders, including women’s rights defenders in Iraq must be protected — not silenced and killed,” Salihy emphasized.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al‑Sudani has ordered an investigation into Mohammed’s death. Amnesty International is calling for a prompt, effective, thorough, independent, and impartial investigation, in line with international standards, and for those responsible to be brought to justice in fair trials that preclude the death penalty.
In recent years, Iraqi women’s rights activists have faced increasing backlash, including smear campaigns, particularly in response to their opposition to changes in the Personal Status Law. Amnesty International has previously documented multiple assassinations and attempted assassinations of activists, alongside flawed investigations and trials that have failed to deliver justice.
Mohammed’s death underscores the dangers faced by those working to advance human rights in Iraq and highlights the urgent need for greater protection and accountability.
