Lives That Refuse to Disappear into Darkness
Two young Iranians are now at imminent risk of execution. Both have been sentenced to death following grossly unfair trials that violated basic principles of justice and due process. Their names must be known, their lives acknowledged, and their cases urgently acted upon.
Payman Farahavar is a 35-year-old poet, writer, and civil rights activist. He was arrested in 2023 during a wave of crackdowns targeting freedom of expression. Known for his literary work and peaceful advocacy, he was charged with vague although he only wrote for environment and defense of human rights. Deprived of access to an independent lawyer, Payman was tried in a closed court and sentenced to death in 2024 by a revolutionary court. His case is emblematic of how peaceful dissent is criminalized in Iran.
Ehsan Faridi is a 22-year-old student of industrial engineering at the University of Tabriz. He was arrested on June 18, 2024, after being summoned to a special prosecutor’s office handling so-called “national security” cases. Previously, he had been detained for nearly a month and later released on bail. In February 2025, he was sentenced to death by Branch 3 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court on the charge of “corruption on Earth,” a broad and ambiguous accusation often used against Human right activists and opponents. Ehsan is currently imprisoned in Tabriz Central Prison, awaiting the outcome of his appeal to the Supreme Court.
Both cases reflect the systematic use of the death penalty to silence dissent and intimidate Iranian youth. These are not isolated incidents—they are part of a larger machinery of repression.
Now is the time to raise our voices. Their lives depend on it.
Absolute Injustice
When Law Becomes a Tool of Repression
The death penalty is the most irreversible form of punishment. In a system where legal standards are not respected, where confessions extracted under torture are considered evidence, and where legal defense is denied, capital punishment is not an act of justice—it is an act of intimidation.
Payman was tried in a matter of minutes. There was no independent lawyer, no access to fair legal representation, and the charges lacked clear legal definitions. The young student was also charged with vague and unsubstantiated accusations: “corruption on Earth,” “enmity against God,” and other charges that the regime has repeatedly misused to eliminate dissenters and civil society activists.
These rulings are in stark violation of international human rights standards and even contradict the regime’s own domestic laws. The judiciary, in this context, no longer functions as a shield for the people, but as a weapon against them.
Executing these two prisoners does not merely mean ending two lives. It sends a clear message from the regime to all those who desire change, freedom, and justice: “If you rise, you will die.” This is the very cycle of fear that we must break.
When the World Stands Up – Hope Is Still Alive
Thankfully, this time, the global silence has been broken. Massive campaigns across Europe—from Berlin to Geneva, from Stockholm to Zurich—have called for the immediate cancellation of these death sentences. Writers, artists, academics, human rights organizations, and even political figures have spoken in unison: “No to execution.” International campaigns across social media, public solidarity statements, and diplomatic pressure have cornered the regime.
In recent months, similar cases have been halted or postponed due to global public pressure. This global presence can make the difference between life and death.
Now, it is our turn. Every signature, every donation, every share of this call is a step toward saving these two human beings. Payman and the young student are still alive. They are still breathing. And they can still be saved.
Urgent Action Call: Join Us Now
We invite you to join us at this crucial moment:
- Donate: Your financial support—no matter the amount—directly fuels legal, media, and international advocacy efforts to save their lives. The donation link is active on our website.
- Share the Call: Share this message with your friends, colleagues, family, and through your social networks. Every voice counts.
Life Is Waiting for Us
In a world where injustice thrives on indifference, every small act can become a turning point. Payman and the young student are now awaiting justice—awaiting us.
Let us strive for a day when no one is sentenced to death for their thoughts, their protests, or their dreams of a better future. This is our human responsibility.
Now is the time to rise—for life.
English 
German 
French