We caught up with Khattab to hear more about her journey, her work with DLA Piper on their “Know Your Rights” programme and what the ‘refugee’ label really means…

Tell us how your journey starts?

I would say my journey started when my immigration status changed from postgraduate student to refugee. For me this was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. The hardest thing was to start this new chapter feeling confused, uncertain and vulnerable. Not equipped with the required skills and knowledge to deal with the world I found myself in. Sometimes, during the process, I have looked at myself in the mirror and thought, “who is that?”

I went from a well-known, respected academic and human rights activist, to a job seeker. I was hunting for internships and work placements that were meant for new graduates, just so I could get some local experience and references. I was a determined and ambitious person, who had come to the UK seeking an education that would help rebuild the justice system in my home country, instead I found myself battling to survive.

What factors led you to study law?

My journey in law stems from a desire and passion for improving justice and advancing legal research, which I have always seen as a crucial way to make reforms. When I was young I often heard about friends and family members who were arrested or fleeing the country, fearing the tyranny of the government. As a result, I became aware of issues related to human rights violation and access to justice in Libya. I began to see the practical applications of the law in the country and the extent of manipulation and opportunism that is practiced by the law. With this realisation my desire to study law and be able to change reality, began to ignite peacefully.

You were studying law under the dictatorship of the Gaddafi Regime, a regime that made speaking against injustice a crime. How did this drive you?

This actually gave me a sense of purpose. When I realised that praising the leader as God and killing people in prison without trial was not normal, I knew that it would not last forever. I knew that when the change came I needed to be ready to contribute – what could be a better contribution than helping to build the justice system? My thoughts on the reform needed in Libya were shaped by my belief that law is the key, that strong legal systems protect everyone’s rights equally. This belief was based on what my parents used to tell me about the time when Libya was a Kingdom and how the Libyan King, who was a wise man, believed that no one was above the law, even himself. This was like a fairy story for people of my generation.

What were the consequences of speaking out against the dictatorship?

Dictators always oppress and suppress their nations. Usually, not too many people object because it would mean putting themselves in danger and at the hands of a powerful party. Unfortunately, even after 10 years of the revolution against Gaddafi, mass killings and human rights violations against prisoners are still happening in Libya. If you get frustrated with the policies of the government and the armed militias` actions and try to speak you are considered an enemy or traitor. This puts your life and safety in danger.

You specialise on prison systems, penal reform and the incarceration of human rights activists. Did this lead to any discoveries that impact on the work you do now?

I would not say that my research findings, related to minorities and prisoners` human rights, has a direct link to what I am doing now. However, the knowledge and the insights I developed during my research degree and my work in this space have helped me to understand the struggle, experiences, and needs of so many refugee clients we work with. In addition, it helps me to enhance our pro bono research and policies and facilitate  conversations related to the refugee crisis and its roots. We need to work toward improving the rule of law, political situation, and access to justice in the refugee producing countries.

Most of the participants in the legal education programme I lead at DLA Piper flee their countries due to the fear of persecution and serious harm. This can be linked to any one of specified grounds including race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, and political opinion.

You were granted asylum to the UK in 2018, how did that make you feel and why do you think there is such misplaced connotations that come with the label ‘refugee’ or ‘asylum seeker’?

It feels like you’ve entered another dimension. Just imagine leaving your entire life behind and the only thing you have is few clothes in a bag. You do not have an option, you must start over regardless of all the years of hard work in the past. Your priorities change, now all you want  is dignity, freedom, and security which are simple things that others take for granted.

In theory “refugee” is an immigration status. But in reality it is a socially constructed label with complex connotations. I am sad to say that some people still see refugees as “liars” who come to places for economic reason or as “thieves”, stealing work opportunities or as “terrorists” on a mission to destroy local values. These antagonistic and securitised labels harm a lot. We are  people, just like you, who fled a crisis. We should not been seen as objects, either requiring help or posing a threat.

In your view, what are the key steps that we need to take when it comes to changing the narrative around refugees?

I think the focus should be on asking the right questions. For example, instead of asking how those people got here, ask why those people came here. Instead of asking how much their integration costs, ask how we can use their skills and benefit from their experiences. It is all about raising awareness about forced displacement and exposing horrendous injustices. We need to shed light on the importance of opening up opportunities to build peaceful and diverse communities, which include refugees.

Tell me about your current role in the international pro bono team at DLA Piper and the impact of the “Know your Rights” programme?

My title is a pro bono Legal Officer. I am responsible for supporting the pro bono team in the development of programmes as part of the new global pro bono strategy, focused on displaced people and rightsholder engagement. This is a role with an emphasis on supporting internal and external thought-leadership and impactful pro bono and legal education programmes. Other responsibilities include:

• Working closely with key NGO clients, including The Refugee Council, the IRC, UNHCR and IRAP to identify new opportunities to support displaced people.
• Leading on the development of an internal rightsholder engagement strategy, working closely with the firm’s HR and Diversity and Inclusion teams.
• Designing and managing bespoke programmes to support the legal empowerment of female refugees.
• Working with the communications team to design marketing material to promote these programmes to support displaced people.
• Conducting global research projects with pro bono partners.
• Managing the development and delivery of ‘Know your Rights’ and leading the expansion of the programme to eight offices throughout the UK and Ireland.
• Know Your Rights (KYR) is a legal education project developed by DLA Piper for asylum seekers and refugees. We give legal courses on various topics either in our offices or online. The goal of Know Your Rights is to empower asylum seekers and refugees by increasing their core legal knowledge and associated soft skills. The project also aims to foster integration and encourage the participants to advocate for their own interests and pursue their professional and personal goals, using the information and techniques they learn during the sessions. It is a programme for refugees and led by refugees.

What drives you to get out of bed in the morning and what do you hope for the future?

I enjoy my job. I am doing something related to my subject area (human rights) and at the same time helping communities. These are communities whose experiences and challenges I understand . It is the right job for me and I am so grateful to my team leaders for giving me  this opportunity. I feel that I have restored my self-confidence and I know my plan for the future. After being involved in the pro bono world at DLA Piper, I see that there is a lot of area for growth in terms of the right holders engagement in the private sector. I am excited to work on this and develop further in my team. I would love to be working in a senior position in the future, taking more responsibilities, being able to advise more private sector companies, helping them to reach the maximum potential in this area.

I really wish that no one would ever be forcefully displaced and that humanitarian crises came to end.

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