CAP Freedom of Conscience Urges UN to Address Detention of Shincheonji Founder

On September 18, 2026, during the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, CAP Freedom of Conscience delivered an oral statement regarding the case of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The statement highlighted the concerns surrounding Chairman Lee's pretrial detention, emphasizing the potential political motivations and discriminatory nature of the investigation against a religious minority.

According to the oral statement, Chairman Lee Man-hee is currently held in pretrial detention at the Seoul Detention Center in the Republic of Korea on non-violent charges. CAP Freedom of Conscience expressed serious concern over the conditions of detention, particularly noting that Chairman Lee was held in cells without air conditioning during Seoul's most severe heatwave. This situation raises significant health concerns for a 95-year-old detainee.

The statement cited several international obligations that the Republic of Korea appears to be violating. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) requires that detention be necessary and proportionate. Article 10 guarantees humane treatment, which includes the provision of healthcare equivalent to that available in the community. The Nelson Mandela Rules and the Tokyo Rules further emphasize that pretrial detention should be a measure of last resort.

CAP Freedom of Conscience urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to call on the Republic of Korea to honor its treaty obligations. Specifically, they recommended offering alternatives to detention, allowing an independent medical assessment, and ensuring a fair and impartial trial for Chairman Lee Man-hee.

The organization also highlighted that such treatment of a religious minority runs counter to the protection of freedom of religion or belief, a right that CAP Freedom of Conscience considers to be disregarded in this case. The statement emphasized the need for the Council to address these issues and ensure that the rights of religious minorities are respected and protected.

This oral statement by CAP Freedom of Conscience underscores the ongoing scrutiny of religious freedom and the treatment of religious minorities in the Republic of Korea. The organization's efforts to bring attention to this case reflect a broader concern about the protection of human rights and the enforcement of international standards.