Ghizal Haress

Ghizal Haress, LL.B. (Kabul University), LL.M. (School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London), is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto and a Visiting Professor at the Osgoode Hall Law School. She brings over two decades of experience in the legal, academic, and public sectors, with a scholarly focus on constitutional law, human rights, and accountability in conflict-affected and transitional societies.

Ghizal was Afghanistan’s first Ombudsperson, leading anti-corruption efforts and investigating abuses of power at the highest levels of government. As a parliament-confirmed Commissioner for the Constitutional Oversight Commission, she worked to uphold constitutional rights and promote a culture of constitutionalism in the face of significant political resistance. Ghizal served as an Assistant Professor at the American University of Afghanistan for thirteen years, including three years as Chair of the Law Department. 

Ghizal was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law from 2022 to 2024. She is also leading a fellowship program for Afghan women at Massey College. In Canada, she has actively contributed to various academic and policy forums on anti-corruption, constitutional governance, human rights, and refugee protection.  Her work has been widely recognized for its impact on legal reform and development.