Petition to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance

Subject: Urgent Call to Include a Moratorium on Executions in Any Ceasefire Agreement with Iran

We respectfully urge President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance to prioritize the protection of human life by making an immediate halt to executions in Iran a central condition of any ceasefire or diplomatic agreement.

Recent events have shown a deeply alarming escalation in violence against Iranian civilians, particularly protesters. Credible reports from human rights organizations and international observers indicate:

 • During the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, thousands of civilians were killed, with estimates ranging from over 6,000 confirmed deaths to potentially more than 30,000.  

 • In parallel, Iran has sharply increased its use of the death penalty, with over 1,500 executions recorded in 2025 alone, one of the highest levels in decades.  

 • In early 2026, at least 300+ executions were reported during the protest period, with dozens carried out in just days.  

 • Recent reports suggest at least 14 confirmed executions of protest-related prisoners in 2026, with estimates possibly reaching over 100 or more due to lack of transparency.  

 • Broader reporting indicates that executions may be accelerating, with over 145 confirmed in 2026 so far and hundreds more suspected.  

These executions are widely described by international observers as being carried out after unfair trials, coerced confessions, and vague charges such as “waging war against God.”  

At the same time, statements attributed to President Trump indicate that support for Iranian protesters was being considered or discussed publicly. In that context, the continued execution of protesters raises urgent moral and strategic concerns.

We therefore call on you to:

 1. Demand an immediate moratorium on executions as a non-negotiable term in any ceasefire agreement.

 2. Require transparency regarding all detainees arrested during protests.

 3. Advocate for international monitoring of prisons and judicial proceedings in Iran.

 4. Condition further negotiations on measurable human rights protections for civilians.

A ceasefire that does not address the ongoing execution of protesters risks enabling further loss of life. Diplomatic leverage must be used not only to end military conflict, but also to prevent irreversible human rights violations.

History will judge not only the agreements reached, but the lives that were protected—or lost—during their negotiation.

We urge immediate action.