INTERVIEW WITH DORINE VAN DER KEUR (ELYS 1998 – LONDON)
Monday 11th of February 2008 (Dr. Web Master)
Legal Aid of Cambodia has three specialized programs for:
a. for children in contact with the law
b. women who are the victim of
domestic violence and
c. land law issues.
Especially the land law issues are currently a hot political issue in Cambodia. In many instances the government grants land concessions to companies who drive out the local farmers and exploit both land and farmers by rehiring them as underpaid laborers. Another common practice is for the rich and powerful of Cambodia to claim land and demand cooperation from courts, prosecutors and other law enforcement officers to evict the local farmers.
Legal Aid of Cambodia also represents victims at the Khmer Rouge Trial.
When and why did you decide to work for Legal Aid of Cambodia?
I worked with Nauta Dutilh The Netherlands for nine years and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I loved my colleagues, the dynamics of the work, court hearings and my salary. But deep down I always knew the work did not suit me. I often wondered what I was doing at Nauta and what the deeper meaning of my work was. The only answer I could come up with was “money” and that answer was not satisfactory. One day my former “patron” invited me to visit Lviv in Ukraine to see some of his development projects for the mentally handicapped and psychiatric patients. We went with 6 of his friends/colleagues for one week. During that week I was mesmerized enthralled by the projects. They were so positive and effective and the people so touching and warm. The Ukrainians felt I was impressed and asked me to work with them for three months as a volunteer. Back home I asked permission for unpaid leave and after three months in Ukraine as a volunteer I realized there was no way back to my law office on the 14th floor… I quit as a lawyer and stayed as a volunteer in Ukraine for two years. After Ukraine I worked with NGOs in The Netherlands for two years and while I was working as a director of a small NGO in The Netherlands I saw an advertisement for my current job. The Dutch development agency ICCO asked for a lawyer, with international and NGO management experience. Reading the advertisement I realized there is only one person in The Netherlands who has all of that, and that is me. Luckily ICCO agreed!
To what extent your experience with the European Young Lawyers Scheme has helped you to reach this job?
The Young Lawyers Scheme helped me to understand the common law system better and to improve my legal English. Both assets I use daily in my current work. Although Cambodia “copy/pasted” much of the French Civil Code, there are so many Anglo-Saxon development workers here that the legal system is peppered with common law.
How is your work experience in Cambodia so far?
Very positive! I achieved my goal to find my vocation in life. My work is both legal and constructive. I was not sure this combination was possible, but in Cambodia I am proud of my profession. Lawyers here are essential to bring justice to the country, where there is so much injustice, corruption and inequity. It is also remarkable to see how my two former careers have fused together: lawyer & development work. This was symbolized at the Khmer Rouge Trial. A former Nauta Dutilh colleague Mr. Victor Koppe is defending Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea – aka brother Number 2 - while my current colleagues of Legal Aid of Cambodia are representing the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. So in many ways my two worlds have come together!
Are you still in touch with the other 1998 “Euro devils”?
Yes, mostly with Hanif Mohamed who is the hub of the 1998 London batch. He visited me in Cambodia and we went to see Angkor Wat together. He is still in touch with most of our class mates and is a valuable source of information regarding the life of other class mates.
Thank you.
If you want to read more about Dorine’s life in Cambodia, you may visit her blog www.dorineatpp.blogspot.com
European Lawyers Association
c/o Marteyn & Keymeulen
Gentsesteenweg 1154
B-1082 Brussels ( Belgium )
ela@european-lawyers.org
c/o Marteyn & Keymeulen
Gentsesteenweg 1154
B-1082 Brussels ( Belgium )
ela@european-lawyers.org