Ikhlass Al-Hamrouni

Tunis_ The news of assassination of Iraqi activist Yanar Mohammed has sparked a wide wave of shock and condemnation in human rights circles, especially among women’s rights defenders in the Arab region. She was known for her continuous defense of women and her activism in protecting victims of violence and working to provide support for them.

In this context, Tunisian human rights activist Lawath Al-Samli, President of the “Youth in Service of women” Association in Kasserine, spoke about Yanar Mohammed’s journey and the impact of her assassination on the human rights movement. She considered that this crime represents an attempt to silence human rights defenders. Particularly women’s rights advocates.

She pointed out that Yanar Mohammed was one of the most prominent human rights defenders in Iraq, as she dedicated her life to protecting women, particularly victims of violence. She noted that Mohammed was renowned for her role in establishing and managing safe centers that provide shelter and support for battered women and survivors—an effort she considered extremely important in a society where issues of violence against women still face significant social and cultural obstacles.

She added, "Yanar Mohammed's career was not limited to field work alone, but also included defending women's issues in the public sphere and working to raise community awareness about the necessity of protecting women and guaranteeing their fundamental rights," explaining that this continuous activity made her one of the most prominent feminist voices defending women's rights in the region.

Regarding the assassination incident, Lawath Al-Samli said, "The loss of Yanar Mohammed represents a great loss for the human rights and feminist scene, not only in Iraq but in the region generally, because such personalities played an important role in highlighting women's issues and defending their rights in the face of violence and discrimination."

She pointed out that the news of her murder was shocking and painful for all activists in the field of human rights, considering that the human rights arena has lost one of the most prominent voices defending women. She added that such events leave a deep impact on the human rights community because they target personalities who dedicated their lives to defending humanitarian causes.

She explained that "the assassination of an activist known for defending human rights cannot be considered an isolated incident, but rather represents a clear message of intimidation directed at defenders of rights and freedoms," indicating that such crimes aim to silence voices defending human rights, especially women's rights advocates who work under difficult conditions and face numerous challenges.

She clarified that this type of assault reveals the magnitude of risks that human rights defenders may face, and confirms the need to provide greater protection for them, whether through strengthening laws that protect rights defenders or by activating the role of government institutions in ensuring their safety.

Supporting Ongoing Efforts

Regarding pressures on women human rights defenders, Lawath Al-Samli touched on the situation in Tunisia: "Women's rights defenders face several challenges, including restrictions that may affect human rights work and the pressures faced by civil society activists."

She added that some procedures and legislation have raised concerns among many activists, referring to Decree No. 54, which she considered a "source of concern" for a number of human rights defenders due to the restrictions it might impose on freedom of expression—an issue she considered requires discussion to ensure a balance between laws and the protection of rights and freedoms.

Lawath Al-Samli also pointed out that these circumstances require more solidarity among activists, and joint work to protect rights and freedoms, and to continue defending women's issues despite the challenges that may confront this path.

She affirmed that defending women's rights is not limited to human rights work alone, but is part of a broader path related to consolidating the values of justice and equality within society, which requires supporting the efforts made by civil society and activists in this field.

In conclusion, Lawath Al-Samli said, "Such crimes may create an atmosphere of fear among some activists, but on the other hand, they can strengthen the spirit of solidarity and determination to continue working," adding that defending human rights will remain a fundamental necessity in any society seeking to achieve justice and equality, affirming that such events should be a motive to enhance the protection of rights defenders, not a reason to retreat from this path.