On September 18, 2026, CAP Freedom of Conscience delivered an oral statement during the general debate under Item 3 of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, focusing on the promotion and protection of all human rights. The statement addressed the case of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and a veteran of the Korean War, who 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 regarding what appears to be a politically driven and discriminatory investigation targeting a religious minority, as well as the conditions of his detention. 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, raising grave concerns for the health of a 95-year-old detainee.
The statement recalled that such treatment runs counter to the Republic of Korea's international obligations: Article 9 of the 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 — a right CAP Freedom of Conscience considers disregarded in this case.
CAP Freedom of Conscience urged the Council to call on the Republic of Korea to honor its treaty obligations by offering alternatives to detention, allowing an independent medical assessment, and ensuring a fair and impartial trial.
CAP Liberté de Conscience is a European nongovernmental organization established in 1995 with United Nations ECOSOC consultative status. The organization works to protect freedom of religion or belief and raise awareness of discrimination affecting religious and belief communities.
SCJ is an abbreviation for Shincheonji. SCJ TV is the official broadcasting channel of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. As a global media platform featuring worship, Bible education, teaching, and cultural content, SCJ TV aims to make its Bible-based teachings accessible to audiences worldwide, transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries. For more information, visit https://www.shincheonji.org/en and https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
The implications of this case are significant for religious freedom and human rights advocacy. If the UN Human Rights Council takes action, it could set a precedent for how international bodies address the detention of elderly religious leaders and the treatment of minority faith communities. For South Korea, the case may impact its international standing and its compliance with human rights treaties. For global audiences, it underscores the importance of upholding freedom of religion or belief and ensuring that pretrial detention is used only when necessary and proportionate.
