Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, announced on July 9 that the international human rights organization CAP LC (Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience) has submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council. The statement expresses concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, particularly as negative perceptions from South Korea may influence public opinion and official decisions abroad.
CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), focused on the standards by which such matters are assessed rather than the controversy surrounding the church itself. The organization warned that unverified materials formed in South Korea, if disseminated internationally, could have a serious impact not only on public opinion but also on administrative and judicial decisions in other countries. CAP LC urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement highlighted that if unfounded stigma gains international acceptance, other religious minorities could face similar judgments. The church emphasized the responsibility of states to protect the rights of all religious minorities. CAP LC has previously raised issues before the United Nations, including the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over religious freedom violations related to the Japanese government's request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church.
The statement cited specific cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji Church of Jesus' application for registration, describing the church as a "cult"—a term with no clear legal definition. CAP LC pointed out that such language in official administrative procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination driven by negative public sentiment fueled by certain media outlets and church figures. A critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists was identified as a major factor deepening discriminatory perceptions.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said these cases are not isolated but demonstrate how unfounded stigma and unverified claims cause disadvantages for individual members in workplaces, families, and broader social life. The church called for administrative and judicial decisions in each country to be based on clear legal standards and verifiable evidence.
The statement also addressed controversy in South Korea over political participation. CAP LC criticized claims by some political forces that Shincheonji Church members' party membership amounts to "religion-politics collusion," stating that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because individuals belong to a particular religion. CAP LC called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, the principle of non-discrimination, and the state's religious neutrality.
Amid these concerns, South Korea is investigating allegations related to church members' party membership. On June 24, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee, citing concerns including possible destruction of evidence. On June 29, the government joint investigation headquarters indicted Lee while in detention on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. Shincheonji Church of Jesus 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 been questioned. Shincheonji Church of Jesus argues that given Lee's advanced age (born in 1931, now 95), his cooperation with the investigation, and that key materials have already been secured through searches, detention should be subject to stricter scrutiny.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases of discrimination cited in CAP LC's statement and the investigation in South Korea raise a common question: what standards should state judicial and administrative authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The church stated that the issue goes beyond controversy over a particular religious group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. The international community is watching to determine whether legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld in South Korea's investigation and in administrative and judicial decisions in other countries. Ultimately, the church said, the resolution of this case will test the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities.
SCJ TV is the official broadcasting channel of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, offering worship, Bible education, teaching, and cultural content globally. More information is available at https://www.shincheonji.org/en and https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
