The case of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has been brought before the United Nations Human Rights Council during its 63rd session. On September 18, 2026, CAP Freedom of Conscience delivered an oral statement under Item 3 of the general debate, which focuses on the promotion and protection of all human rights. The organization used the platform to highlight what it describes as a politically driven and discriminatory investigation targeting a religious minority in the Republic of Korea.
Chairman Lee, a veteran of the Korean War, is currently held in pretrial detention at the Seoul Detention Center on non-violent charges. Despite having a fixed residence and posing no flight risk, he was placed in cells without air conditioning during Seoul’s most severe heatwave. CAP Freedom of Conscience expressed grave concern for the health of a 95-year-old detainee under such conditions, noting that the treatment appears to violate the Republic of Korea’s international obligations.
The statement specifically referenced several international 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, while the Tokyo Rules make pretrial detention a measure of last resort. Article 18 protects freedom of religion or belief—a right that CAP Freedom of Conscience considers disregarded in this case. These provisions are binding on the Republic of Korea as a state party to the ICCPR and as a member of the United Nations.
The implications of this intervention are significant. By raising the case at the Human Rights Council, CAP Freedom of Conscience is seeking to internationalize scrutiny of South Korea’s judicial treatment of a religious minority. The organization urges 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. This pressure from a UN body could lead to increased diplomatic attention and potentially influence domestic legal proceedings. It also sets a precedent for how religious freedom cases are handled in international forums, particularly those involving elderly detainees and minority faith communities.
CAP Liberté de Conscience is a European nongovernmental organization established in 1995 with United Nations ECOSOC consultative status. It works to protect freedom of religion or belief and raise awareness of discrimination affecting religious and belief communities. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, is a global religious movement with a significant following. Its official broadcasting channel, https://www.scjtvglobal.com, provides worship, Bible education, and cultural content to audiences worldwide. More information about the church is available at https://www.shincheonji.org/en.
The case underscores broader concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in South Korea and the balance between national security and fundamental rights. As the Human Rights Council continues its session, the outcome of this case may influence how similar situations are addressed in the future, reinforcing the importance of international human rights mechanisms in protecting vulnerable individuals.
