Warning About Western Agreements with Iran, Risk of Neglecting Human Rights and Increasing Refugee Waves

An Iranian-born pastor living in Germany warned about the humanitarian consequences of Western agreements with Iran and emphasized the connection between disregarding human rights and the increase of a new wave of refugees to Europe.

“Mohsen Kornelson,” an Iranian-born Baptist pastor in the city of “Ingolstadt” and resident of Germany, in an open letter to the federal government of this country, warned about the humanitarian and geopolitical consequences of any potential agreement between the West and Iran, emphasizing that disregarding human rights in these processes could lead to the formation of a new wave of refugees heading toward Europe.

Pastor Kornelson, in this letter addressed to senior officials of the German government, expressed his concerns about the future of Iranian society and the consequences of international diplomatic decisions. He, who himself experienced migration as a refugee, is now, from the position of a religious leader in Germany, directly connected with the realities of refugees’ lives.

Kornelson, in sections of his letter, referred to widespread concerns that have formed among Iranians regarding the process of negotiations and international agreements. In this letter, he wrote: “Many people in Iran are concerned that diplomatic negotiations, instead of enabling them to enjoy freedom and dignity, will only lead to the consolidation of a system that has oppressed them for decades. This will be a profound blow to their last hopes for change.”

From his perspective, this type of agreement, if it disregards the social and legal demands of the people, could lead to weakening public hope within Iran; hope that, in his belief, is one of the last deterrent factors against a widespread wave of migration.

In the analytical section of this letter, the Iranian-born pastor referred to the direct consequences of social despair on the migration process and warned that international policies, if they ignore the condition of people, could have far-reaching consequences for Europe.

He also emphasized: “If the people of Iran feel that international politics only negotiates with governments and has forgotten the nation, they will lose their hope of living in freedom, and when hope dies, readiness to escape increases.”

Based on the analysis presented in this letter, Iranian migration is not merely an individual choice, but a reaction to structural conditions, lack of future prospects, and concern about their children’s future. Kornelson warned that the continuation of such a process could place double pressure on European countries, particularly in the areas of migration and social policies.

This Iranian-born pastor, in the continuation of his letter, relying on a Christian perspective on justice and peace, emphasized that no lasting peace is possible without respect for human dignity. From his perspective, peace built on the foundation of disregarding human rights will only be a temporary and superficial stability.

He also emphasized that political decision-making regarding Iran should not be based solely on security or diplomatic considerations, but should place moral elements and human responsibility at its center.

Kornelson, in the final section of his letter, asked the German government and other European countries to distinguish between the power structure and the people in any political interaction with Iran and not to ignore the voice of civil society.

He clarified: “The issue is not just security, stability, and diplomacy; the issue is people. This letter is not a call for hatred and violence, but a plea for responsibility and humanity, so that the freedom of the Iranian people does not become a secondary issue in the politics of powers.”

This letter was published at a time when the discussion about European migration policies and the future of Western relations with Iran remains one of the sensitive issues in political and human rights circles. Analysis of the content of this letter shows that the author is attempting to draw a direct connection between three main axes—human rights, foreign policy, and migration—and to warn about the consequences of neglecting this connection.

From an analytical perspective, this position is in line with the approach of some religious and civil leaders in Europe who are trying to evaluate foreign policy from a humanitarian and moral angle as well, not merely from the perspective of geopolitical interests.