Golriz Ghahraman

Barrister, United Nations Consultant (International Human Rights Law, Justice)

Summary
N/A

Experience
United Nations Consultant (International human rights, justice)
June 2015 - Present
Provide expert advice on human rights and justice processes, tailor made to varied national contexts.
Prepare training manuals to be used for the conduct of training based on identified skill gaps and
consultations with concerned officials of the relevant national stakeholder institutions, as well as the federal
and state ministries of justice.
In line with international best practices and human rights standards, carry out a review and update of the
training curriculum for the prosecution service in Nigeria.
Conduct training sessions for prosecutors of the federal and state ministries of justice.

Barrister, Special Counsel (international human rights, criminal justice, constitutional law)
February 2005 - Present
Acts as counsel in District and High Court trials and pre-trial hearings, most recently addressing sexual
violence, multi-accused drug trials, and pre-trial challenges to the exercise of police powers to search.
Act as counsel in appeal proceedings before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of New Zealand
addressing miscarriages of justice and novel points of law.
Conduct legal research and draft submissions on a variety of legal, evidential, and procedural issues.
Analyse evidence to determine the basis for complainants regarding human rights, rule of law, criminal
justice, and international law issues arising in domestic proceedings.
Act as special counsel in refugee and extradition proceedings relating to accusations of genocide against a
Rwandan national in New Zealand.
Oversee investigations remotely and conduct field research in person, most recently in Rwanda and Belgium
with respect of international criminal and human rights law issues.
Interview and brief accused persons and witnesses to prepare evidence in criminal proceedings.

Policy Co-Ordinator, Executive Committee

June 2010 - Present
ACYA is the umbrella organisation with official status to present New Zealands alternative periodic report to
the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

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 Draft periodic reports to UN treaty bodies, thematic reports, and submissions on law and policy affecting the
human rights of children. Recently reported on children involved in criminal justice proceedings, children in
detention, and proposed legislation on the role of NHRIs.
Design and direct workshops the UN human rights framework for domestic NGOs.
Represent ACYA at meetings with local and regional NGOs and United Nations delegations.
Design and deliver briefings on specific human rights concerns and make recommendations to Members of
Parliament and government policy chiefs.

Executive Committee - Member

January 2013 - Present
Provide expert strategies and policy advice, arrange professional education and consultation, aiming to
promote and ensure that access to justice is properly maintained and to ensure the preservation of a strong,
high quality independent bar in New Zealand.

Assistant Prosecutor- Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia

March 2011 - September 2012 (1 year 7 months)
Advocate as required in cases before the Pre-Trial, Trial, and Supreme Chambers of the ECCC.
Conduct research, draft submission and develop opinion papers on a diverse range of international criminal
and comparative law issues.
Draft motions, responses and replies on evidentiary, procedural and legal matters filed to the Trial and
Supreme Chambers.
Analyse complex witness and documentary evidence in order to provide legal and strategy advice to Senior
Co-Prosecutors.
Prepare examination of key fact and expert witnesses.
Represent the Office of Co-Prosecutors at international, regional, and local forums on human rights, the rule
of law, and post atrocity access to justice.
Draft proposals on behalf of the Office of Co-Prosecutors on revisions to court rules, procedures and
practice notes to ensure efficacy of trial processes and compliance with international standards.
Prepare and contribute to UN run programmes to strengthen access to justice for victims, vulnerable
communities, and women within the UNs transitional justice initiatives, in Cambodian justice institutions,
and as part of legacy projects of the Office of Co-Prosecutors.
Provide education material and training to national staff on substantive law and rule of law issues.
Foster collaborative relationships and provide technical assistance to national counterparts and Cambodian
government officials working with the UN mission.
Working closely within diverse multidisciplinary teams of justice professionals including lawyers, Victim
and Witness support professional, investigators, judges, and administrative court staff.

Course Instructor- International Human Rights Law and Protection Mechanisms

February 2011 - February 2012 (1 year 1 month)

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 Design and provide original teaching material for courses on the Rule of Law, Fair Trial Rights, and
International and Transitional Justice

Legal Officer - Defence Team

March 2009 - June 2010 (1 year 4 months)

Barrister - Criminal Law

February 2005 - February 2007 (2 years 1 month)

Education
University of Oxford
Master of Studies International Human Rights Law (Distinction), Law/Human Rights, 2009 - 2011
University of Auckland
BA/LLB, Arts (History)/Law (Conjoint degree), 1999 - 2004

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Golriz Ghahraman
Barrister, United Nations Consultant (International Human Rights Law, Justice)

Contact Golriz on LinkedIn

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