A Conversation with Historian, Activist, and Former GDR Prisoner Peter Keup

At age 22, Peter Keup attempted to escape through the East German border, but a Stasi spy—and blood relative—tipped off the police. Keup was caught, arrested, and eventually forced to labor alongside other prisoners in the former GDR. Now, 40 years later, Keup is fighting for recognition and justice.

Join us for a conversation with historian, activist, and former GDR prisoner Peter Keup. During this event, you will hear Keup’s compelling story, learn about his advocacy for recognition and reparations from companies that knowingly purchased goods made by forced laborers, and gain insights into his fascinating life, which is featured in a film premiering at this year’s SXSW Festival.

Martina E. Vandenberg is the founder and president of The Human Trafficking Legal Center, which she established in 2012. For more than two decades, Vandenberg has worked to fight human trafficking, forced labor, rape as a war crime, and violence against women. Vandenberg has represented victims of human trafficking pro bono in immigration, criminal, and civil cases. She has obtained T-visas for trafficking survivors and won significant civil judgments in federal cases. Vandenberg has trained more than 5,000 pro bono attorneys nationwide to handle human trafficking matters. She provides technical assistance and mentoring to legal teams handling trafficking cases in U.S. federal courts. See full bio here

This event will be followed by a wine reception.

(Photo of Peter Keup by Alesch Mühlbauer)

Host or Publisher Goethe-Institut and ICWA