Afghan Biographies

Haress, Ghizaal Mrs.


Name Haress, Ghizaal Mrs.
Ethnic backgr. Pashtun
Date of birth 1983
Function/Grade Ex Ombudsperson Inspector General
History and Biodata

2. Previous Function:
Director Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Program AREDP (2009-2013)
Assistant Professor American University Kabul, Chair of Law Department ( 2012)
Commissioner Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of the Constitution (2016-2019)
Ombudsperson Inspector General of the Government (20190804, 20210523)
3. Biodata:
Mrs. Ghizaal Haress Ghezal Haris Ghazaal Haris Ghazal Haris was born 1983 in Kabul. She completed her education in Afghanistan and then did her masters in law and political science in Pakistan. She is a Chevening scholar and holds an LL.M. degree from the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies and a bachelor of law from the Law Faculty, Kabul University.(2008-2009).

 

Haress has over 14 years of professional experience in Afghanistan that focuses predominantly in the legal sector. Her experience in Afghanistan includes working in the areas of human rights, economic rights/empowerment, support to legal professionals, women’s political participation, strengthening political parties, governance and election monitoring. Prior to her role with the American University of Afghanistan, Haress worked as the executive director for the Afghanistan Rural Enterprise Development Program, a National Priority Program of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development. She is a constitutional law expert and was appointed as ombudsperson by presidential decree on 4 August 2019 for a non-renewable mandate of four years.

President Ghani issued the order for the establishment of the Office of Inspector General amid reports of corruption in high level government institutions, including ARG Palace.  Based on Decree No 56 of the Office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Palace Ombudsperson was established on 10 August 2019, and Mrs Ghezal Haris was appointed as the Director of the Ombudsperson Office. The Decree states that the office is established to effectively fight against corruption and oversee performances of government high-ranking officials through receiving complaints. The Ombudsperson of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has membership in the High Council for Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption and is on the verge of developing law for the office in coordination with other relevant agencies. The Ombudsperson Office has finalized its organizational chart so far and has also recruited a number of staff members. (20200810)

Ghizaal Haress, Ombudsperson of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has resigned from her position. She announced her resignation. “After nearly two years of serving as the Ombudsperson, and after handing in my resignation twice to the presidency, which unfortunately was not approved, I am stepping down from my position,” she said in a tweet. (20210523)



She speaks Pashtu and English

Last Modified 2021-05-23
Established 2020-06-18