Katrine Camilleri

Katrine Camilleri (born February 24, 1970) is a Maltese lawyer and Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Malta. She is known for her work for boat refugees and was awarded the Nansen Refugee Award in 2007.

Early life and education

Camilleri studied law and as student she undertook research into access to rights and protection for refugees. After her graduation from the University of Malta in 1994, she began working in a small law firm, where she came into contact with refugees. She first worked with a Libyan asylum seeker, who was at risk of deportation.

Career

In 1996, Camilleri's family was inside their home when it was set on fire, and escape without injury by climbing through a window. The following year, she received the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. Embassy and was nominated for the European of the Year Award, given by the newspaper Politico Europe. She received the Roland Berger Human Dignity Award in April 2015. Camilleri was named to Politico 's Class of 2016 for her humanitarian work.