An international human rights organization has formally raised concerns at the United Nations about growing discrimination and stigma against members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, warning that unfounded negative perceptions originating in South Korea are spreading to other countries and affecting administrative and judicial decisions.
CAP LC, the Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience, which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council on July 9, according to Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The group urged governments to base any decisions concerning the church on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards, rather than unverified materials or social stigma.
The statement cited specific cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries. In the U.K., the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji's application for registration, describing the church as a 'cult'—a term CAP LC noted lacks a clear legal definition. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination driven by negative public sentiment fueled by certain media outlets and a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement underscores that the issue is not merely a domestic controversy but one drawing international attention under human rights standards. The church argued that if unfounded stigma gains international acceptance, other religious minorities could be similarly judged, highlighting states' responsibility to protect the rights of all religious minorities.
The statement also addressed controversy in South Korea over political participation by church members. CAP LC criticized claims that members' party membership amounted to 'religion-politics collusion,' asserting that political participation should not be grounds for suspicion solely because of religious affiliation. The group called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and religious neutrality.
These concerns come amid an ongoing investigation in South Korea into allegations related to church members' party membership. On June 24, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee, and on June 29, the government joint investigation headquarters indicted him while in detention on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. Shincheonji maintains that the case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy.
The necessity and proportionality of detention have also emerged as issues, given Lee's age—95, born in 1931—and his cooperation with the investigation. The church said the cases of discrimination cited in the statement and the investigation in South Korea raise a common question: what standards should state authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities?
CAP LC has previously brought issues before the United Nations including the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over violations of religious freedom related to the Japanese government's request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church. Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the international community is watching to determine whether legal grounds and due process are being consistently upheld.
Ultimately, the church said, how the case is resolved will serve as a test of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities, beyond the matter of a single religious organization.
For more information, visit Shincheonji Church of Jesus or SCJ TV.
