Ghahraman who made international headlines not for her work in Parliament but for being caught repeatedly stealing from high-end fashion retailers is now being framed as some sort of principled voice for justice.
Ghahraman was not caught in a one-off moment of desperation. This was repeat offending, carried out over months. She targeted multiple stores, on multiple occasions, and only owned up to her crimes when the evidence was undeniable. The courtroom heard how her actions were deliberate, sustained, and manipulative. Here she is, holding court again, this time on one of the world’s most sensitive international crises.
New Zealand opened its arms to her. She was granted refugee status, given access to a world-class education, elected to Parliament, and celebrated in the media. What did she give in return? Theft, deceit, and complete betrayal of public trust. Her supporters blamed stress. Her defenders tried to spin it. The facts remain. She broke the law, repeatedly, and showed no remorse until she was publicly exposed.
Now, instead of retreating from public life in shame, she is being paraded by Stuff as a credible commentator on the very subject of justice and civil rights. It is absurd. It is insulting. And it is a slap in the face to every hard-working migrant, every honest Kiwi, and every Iranian who genuinely fights for freedom under a brutal regime.
The irony is breathtaking. While women in Iran are being beaten and killed for daring to speak out, Stuff has chosen to amplify a privileged former MP who embarrassed her country and undermined her own credibility. There are countless Iranian-Kiwis, legal experts, and actual human rights advocates who could have provided meaningful insight. But instead, Burr and his team turned to a convicted thief and political failure.
Ghahraman has no place lecturing anyone on morality, let alone international human rights. She is not a symbol of resistance. She is a reminder of what happens when media, politics, and identity worship collide without accountability.
If she feels so strongly about the future of Iran, perhaps she should return there and join the revolution on the ground. At least then, she might be held to a standard of responsibility and integrity that she has clearly never lived up to here.
New Zealanders deserve better. Our democracy deserves better. The people of Iran certainly deserve better than being represented by a convicted shoplifter who, had she committed her crimes over there instead of here, her neck could have faced the sharp edge of a sword.
Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced.
Ghahraman was not caught in a one-off moment of desperation. This was repeat offending, carried out over months. She targeted multiple stores, on multiple occasions, and only owned up to her crimes when the evidence was undeniable. The courtroom heard how her actions were deliberate, sustained, and manipulative. Here she is, holding court again, this time on one of the world’s most sensitive international crises.
New Zealand opened its arms to her. She was granted refugee status, given access to a world-class education, elected to Parliament, and celebrated in the media. What did she give in return? Theft, deceit, and complete betrayal of public trust. Her supporters blamed stress. Her defenders tried to spin it. The facts remain. She broke the law, repeatedly, and showed no remorse until she was publicly exposed.
Now, instead of retreating from public life in shame, she is being paraded by Stuff as a credible commentator on the very subject of justice and civil rights. It is absurd. It is insulting. And it is a slap in the face to every hard-working migrant, every honest Kiwi, and every Iranian who genuinely fights for freedom under a brutal regime.
The irony is breathtaking. While women in Iran are being beaten and killed for daring to speak out, Stuff has chosen to amplify a privileged former MP who embarrassed her country and undermined her own credibility. There are countless Iranian-Kiwis, legal experts, and actual human rights advocates who could have provided meaningful insight. But instead, Burr and his team turned to a convicted thief and political failure.
Ghahraman has no place lecturing anyone on morality, let alone international human rights. She is not a symbol of resistance. She is a reminder of what happens when media, politics, and identity worship collide without accountability.
If she feels so strongly about the future of Iran, perhaps she should return there and join the revolution on the ground. At least then, she might be held to a standard of responsibility and integrity that she has clearly never lived up to here.
New Zealanders deserve better. Our democracy deserves better. The people of Iran certainly deserve better than being represented by a convicted shoplifter who, had she committed her crimes over there instead of here, her neck could have faced the sharp edge of a sword.
Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced.
11 comments:
Had she been convicted of the same crimes in Australia they would have genuinely considered canceling any visas allowing her to stay in Australia - and deported her.
Had she been convicted of the same crimes in Iran she’d have lost her arms or hands by forced amputation.
But it’s ok because now she can tell us how terrible the Jews are….or how terrible trump is. Stuff is run by racist bigoted idiots.
This seems to be a common trend around the world whereby western democracies harbour refugees from horrendous situations, and generously give them numerous rights and privileges. Many gain prominent roles and then proceed to lecture their fellow citizens. Ilan Omar, a prominent congresswoman and Somalian refugee, is being widely criticised in the US for saying "America is the worst country in the world" and citing the Army Anniversary Centenary Parade as "soldiers stalking the streets and targeting civilians". Complete rubbish just to stir people up. We all have our views on Iran. We don't need the situation explained to us by someone who really has no credibility now.
It sounds like ethno-fascism doesn't it. Surely some of the academics know this extremism and speak out about it.
I don't care about the shoplifting but do care that she has been such a strong critic of Israel. This means her views on the Iran - Israel conflict will not be impartial and most likely typical of bias shown by Stuff.
Golriz is perfect for Stuff because her whole life has been a lie. Refugee? Hardly. Lawyer acting in human rights cases in the NZ Supreme Court? One case in which she was junior counsel, representing a drug dealer. UN prosecutor? No. The list goes on.
Now Golriz can join all the other little liars, who are as bad as she is. Its a shame Stuff can't afford Jacinda.
Is Golriz any different to most of the Stuff "journalists " who write opinion pieces with their own convincing lies ?
That’s corporate state justice (Just-us) for you. The corporate state looks after its own.
Matua, perfectly summarized. The truth hurts the left. Shame on the far left stuff hypocrites. But what do you expect from a far left media outlet.
My comment about fascism at 7.49 am was intended for Matua's Otago University article if you think that sounds an odd thing to say in this context.
Funny, I am just returning a new "one copy" only book to Auckland Library... "The sparks the logs and the gasoline : the long road to the New Zealand Wars"....
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