“Zero years – Drawing for justice”

July 18 – October 12, 2025 | Münzenberg Forum Berlin, Franz-Mehring-Platz 1, 10243 Berlin

A solidarity exhibition about flight, imprisonment and solidarity. People who steer boats on the run are sentenced to hundreds of years in prison in Europe. The exhibition visualizes the fates of those affected – and calls for action.

To the exhibition

“Zero years – Drawing for justice” is an art exhibition in solidarity against the criminalization of flight. It makes visible what often happens in secret: People who steer a boat or drive a vehicle out of sheer necessity in order to bring themselves and others to safety are prosecuted in the EU as “smugglers” – and given absurdly high prison sentences. Some face life sentences, others up to 300 years in prison. Their “crime”: humanity in motion.

The title “Zero years” is a statement. It demands what would be fair: zero years in prison for people who act where state rescue fails. Protection is needed instead of punishment. Instead of stigmatization: solidarity.

  • Hundreds of people are convicted of “facilitating illegal entry” in several EU countries every year.
  • There is often a lack of fair proceedings, translations or legal representation.
  • The sentences: from ten years to life imprisonment – often on mere suspicion.
  • Minors or refugees themselves are also affected.

This practice contradicts fundamental human rights and criminalizes both those helping refugees and those affected.

The exhibition aims to make visiblewhat otherwise remains hidden. The works on display tell stories of flight, courage and injustice – and set artistic signs for the future. Solidarity and justice.

With the proceeds from the sale of original drawings, art prints and zines you support the work of #LeaveNoOneBehindfor translations, legal assistance and legal aid for prisoners.

“Zero Years” is art as an attitude – and an appeal: nobody belongs in prison for saving human lives.

The artists

With special thanks to:

Adrian Pourviseh, Ami Bogin, Anamilena Pescarolo, Anna Rupprecht, Anna Wolf, Bernd Kissel & Marc-Uwe Kling, Beth Walrond, Bilge Emir, Birgit Weyhe, Bonnie Ton, Burcu Türker, Claudia Schramke, Christina S. Zhu, Eva Gräbeldinger, Eva Müller, Gizem Erdem, Hamed Eshrat, Hannah Schrage, lknur Koçer, Isabell Kahl, Jan Bow, Jan Hendrik Ax, Janice Jensen, Johanna Eberle, Jul Gordon, Justus Pfeifer, Kati Szilágyi, Le Hong Tran, LICHI (Marlies Endres), Lisa Nele Otto, Lisa Schweizer, Lina T. Rick, Magdalena Kaszuba, Marc Hennes, Marc-Uwe Kling & Bernd Kissel, Meikey To, Mehrdad Zaeri, Maren Amini, Marlene Krause, Patrick Muczczek, Paula Radon, Peter Eickmeyer & Gaby von Borstel, Reinhard Kleist, Sheree Domingo, Svea Öhlschläger, Tharaka Sriram, Yorgos Konstantinou, Zoe Papadopoulou

Accompanying program

  • The calendar of events will be published at the beginning of July. You can look forward to numerous readings, concerts, film evenings and workshops.
  • Vernissage July 18, 2025

Buy art

In our store you will find original drawings, reproductions, high-quality art prints, zines and solidarity T-shirts – all works by artists who deal with the reality of flight, repression and resistance.

With every purchase you support the “Zero Years” campaign:
All proceeds go to the Zero Years campaign by #LeaveNoOneBehindcampaign to help people who have been criminalized while fleeing and sentenced to decades in prison simply for driving a vehicle.

This is how it works:

  • Choose your artwork
  • Add it to the shopping cart
  • Pay securely & in solidarity
  • You get art – and make concrete help possible

Some works are unique – it pays to be quick!

Press

PRESS RELEASE Zero years

Zero years Infotext

Further information

In court
Accompanied three criminalization proceedings on Samos
Insights into trials against fugitive boat drivers in which LeaveNoOneBehind documented and supported for months.
👉 To the article

375 years in prison for being innocent
How a single sentence destroys lives – and what this has to do with Europe’s isolationist policy.
 👉 Read the article

Study: The Human Toll of Europe’s “War on Smuggling”
HRLP investigation (2022)
Detailed analysis of the human rights impact of criminalization by the Human Rights Legal Project.
👉 To the study

Documentary: 142 YEARS – A Court Thriller (2024)
 A gripping film about criminal proceedings on Lesbos – and the absurd accusation of being a “trafficker” for saving people.
👉 Watch movie

Rights in Peril, Justice in Action
 A collection of international reports, analyses and civil society responses to the systematic persecution of people seeking protection.
👉 Learn more

Contact

📧 Monica & Tilly: zeroyears@lnob.net

You can’t make people illegal.
#LeaveNoOneBehind