Francesca Braga

International Lawyer and Legal Adviser -

Interview

Francesca, can you enlighten us on your journey into law and what drew you to human rights and international criminal law, were these areas your ultimate goal from the beginning?

Since I was a child, I have known I would be a lawyer. Moreover, I have always known that I would apply the law to defend people at risk, including children and the most vulnerable groups. However, my career in international law happened a bit by chance. What was supposed to be a three-month experience turned into my career.

With the wealth of knowledge and experience you have accumulated, can you tell us about the hardships that come with your area of law, how do you motivate yourself to continue after any setbacks?

In a nutshell, my curiosity about the law and the world. One of the most significant difficulties I encountered was undoubtedly that of contextualising crimes because it is very easy to judge a criminal act without putting oneself in “someone else’s shoes” and understanding what led the person to act in that way (socio-cultural background, external influences, possible mental illnesses, etc.). Society, and even I sometimes, often label people for what they have done and not for who they are. In this case, a person is “Guilty”. Another difficulty was to inform myself about the legal and political context of where I was.

What were some key highlights from your job as a Legal Consultant at the Extraordinary Chambers, what changes came from your work here and what did you learn from this experience that you take with you?

The experience in Cambodia is undoubtedly one of the most significant. Before 2016, I had never been to Southeast Asia and did not know what awaited me and how much I would change.

On a professional level, it was interesting to work in a court dealing with crimes that occurred during the Khmer Rouge period between 1975 and 1979. I could talk with the victims and the defendants, which gave me a complete picture of those years.

Is there a job or project over your career that you are particularly proud of due to the work poured in or the outcome delivered to those you planned to support?

The project was about implementing female construction workers’ women’s labour rights in Cambodia. I interviewed women and girls better to understand their needs in Phnom Penh and other provinces. For example, safety equipment was not available to them, working hours and wages were not commensurate with international standards, and many of them were victims of sexual abuse.

Are you currently working on any projects which you are keen to share with us, what specialist area are you currently focused on or do you find yourself stretched between multiple?

I am working on a project to ensure that every child in the European Union, particularly those at risk of poverty or social exclusion, has access to essential services like education, healthcare, nutrition, and adequate housing. I am also involved in implementing policies against human trafficking and smuggling migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.