MENA Prison Forum in Berlin #7

Understanding Prison

Once a vibrant Palestinian refugee camp and an integral part of Damascus, Yarmouk became a site of extreme state violence in the aftermath of the 2011 revolution. Following mass protests in 2012, the Assad regime and its allied militias imposed a brutal siege. Civilians were cut off from food, medicine and aid. “Besiege, starve, force to surrender” became the strategy of the regime.The experiences from Yarmouk reveal alarming parallels to Gaza. Humanitarian aid structures are being deliberately destroyed, supply routes are cut off, and civilians are being endangered by the deprivation of essential resources.The seventh edition of the discourse series “Understanding Prison: MENA Prison Forum in Berlin” weaves together music, testimony and dialogue. Pianist Aeham Ahmad, who survived the starvation siege of Yarmouk, will perform together with activist Wassim Mukdad on Oud Actress. Lujain Mustafa reads from Aeham Ahmad’s book, which describes the siege. This will be followed by a panel discussion. In light of the ongoing court proceedings in Koblenz, the question arises: Following war crimes involving the deliberate use of hunger as a weapon, are there opportunities for justice and accountability, from Yarmouk to Gaza?

approx. 120-180 mins.

Next date: Understanding Prison

• Date Thursday, 30/April/2026 19:00
• Venue HAU Hebbel am Ufer - HAU1
• Address Stresemannstraße 29 A, 10963 Berlin-Kreuzberg
• Price from €10.00

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