CAP Freedom of Conscience delivered an oral statement on September 18, 2026, during the General Debate under Item 3 of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, focusing on the pre-trial detention of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The statement raises serious concerns about the conditions of his detention at the Seoul Detention Center in the Republic of Korea, where he is held on nonviolent charges. It also alleges that the investigation is politically motivated and discriminatory against a religious minority.
Despite having a fixed residence and posing no flight risk, Chairman Lee was held in cells without air conditioning during Seoul's most severe heatwave, raising grave concerns about the health and well-being of the elderly detainee, who is also a Korean War veteran. The statement argues that such treatment violates the Republic of Korea's international obligations under several human rights instruments. 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 pre-trial detention a measure of last resort; and Article 18 protects freedom of religion or belief—a fundamental right that CAP Freedom of Conscience believes has been violated in this case.
The organization urges the Human Rights 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. This case highlights broader concerns about the treatment of religious minorities and the use of pre-trial detention in South Korea, a country that has ratified key international human rights treaties. For readers, this development underscores the importance of international oversight in ensuring that domestic legal practices align with global human rights standards. It also raises questions about the potential for politically motivated prosecutions to undermine religious freedom and due process.
The implications extend beyond this individual case. If the allegations are substantiated, they could signal a pattern of discrimination against minority religious groups in South Korea, potentially affecting the country's international standing and its compliance with human rights commitments. The UN Human Rights Council's response will be closely watched as a test of its ability to address such violations. Additionally, the case may influence how other nations handle similar situations involving elderly detainees and nonviolent charges, particularly in the context of climate extremes and healthcare access in detention facilities. As the international community continues to monitor, the outcome could set a precedent for the protection of religious freedom and the humane treatment of detainees worldwide.
