CAP Freedom of Conscience, a secular European NGO with United Nations Consultative Status, delivered an oral statement on 18 September 2026 during the general debate under Item 3 of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The statement focused on the case of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, who is currently held in pretrial detention at the Seoul Detention Center in the Republic of Korea on non-violent charges.
The organization expressed serious concern that the investigation appears to be politically driven and discriminatory, targeting a religious minority. It also highlighted the conditions of detention, noting that despite his fixed residence and the absence of any flight risk, Chairman Lee was held in cells without air conditioning during Seoul's most severe heatwave. This raises grave concerns for the health of a 95-year-old detainee, who is also a veteran of the Korean War.
According to the statement, such treatment runs counter to the Republic of Korea's international obligations. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) requires detention to be necessary and proportionate; Article 10 guarantees humane treatment; the Nelson Mandela Rules entitle detainees to healthcare equivalent to that available in the community; the Tokyo Rules make pretrial detention a measure of last resort; and Article 18 protects freedom of religion or belief. CAP Freedom of Conscience considers that this latter right has been disregarded in this case.
The organization urged the Human Rights Council to call on the Republic of Korea to honour its treaty obligations by offering alternatives to detention, allowing an independent medical assessment, and ensuring a fair and impartial trial. This news matters because it underscores the ongoing tension between state security measures and fundamental human rights, particularly for religious minorities. If the allegations are accurate, the case could set a precedent for how international bodies address the detention of elderly religious leaders and the treatment of minority faiths.
For readers, this development signals that international scrutiny of South Korea's judicial practices may increase, potentially impacting the country's reputation and its compliance with international human rights standards. Businesses and investors attuned to governance and human rights risks should monitor how the case evolves, as it could influence perceptions of the rule of law in the region. The outcome may also affect the Shincheonji Church's operations and its members' freedom to practice their faith without fear of discrimination.
CAP Freedom of Conscience is a member of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB), the European Network on Religion and Belief (ENORB), and participates in the Civil Society Platform of Fundamental Rights created by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency. The organization continues to advocate for any religious or spiritual group facing discrimination to have their right to freedom of religion and belief recognized.
