Jesuit Refugee Service director Katrine Camilleri has been named as one of Europe’s top movers and shakers in the past year by influential Brussels-based newspaper Politico.

Dr Camilleri is ranked 26th on a list of 28 politicians, activists, entrepreneurs and musicians – one from each member state – “who are stirring and shaping European public life”.

“In 2015 [Dr Camilleri] gained a reputation outside Malta for her tough talking yet compassionate stance,” Politico writes. “At a summit in Valletta in November, Camilleri was one of the most sought-after voices on the migration debate.”

Dr Camilleri is described in the new annual publication POLITICO 28 as a prominent voice in warning the Maltese government, and authorities further afield, of their responsibilities in the migrant crisis.

“Camilleri and her team are at the forefront of the struggle, offering legal advice and pastoral care, and making sure refugees have access to health care.”

The human rights lawyer has previously been awarded the Roland Berger Human Dignity Award, last April, and is a former winner of the UN’s Nansen Refugee Award.

Also featured on Politico’s list are Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Italian constitutional reformer Maria Elena Boschi and – in the year Ireland voted to allow gay marriage – drag queen activist Panti Bliss (Rory O’ Neill).

Top of the list is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who came to prominence this year for his hard-line response to refugees passing through the country.

“Though he comes from a relatively small state,” Politico writes. “[Orbán] has emerged in the migration crisis to challenge the Europe of open borders and its

notions of representative democracy — in effect, the post-Cold War political order on the Continent — in ways that some find brave and others malign.”

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