The Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), an international human rights organization with special consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council, submitted a joint written statement to the UN Human Rights Council on July 9, expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the church announced. The statement focuses on the standards by which such matters are assessed, warning that negative perceptions and unverified materials from South Korea could affect public opinion, administrative decisions, and judicial outcomes abroad.
CAP LC urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards. The church emphasized that if unfounded stigma gains international acceptance, other religious minorities could face similar judgments, underscoring states' responsibility to protect religious minority rights. CAP LC has previously raised issues including the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over religious freedom violations stemming from the Japanese government's dissolution request against the Unification Church.
In its statement, CAP LC cited cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries where negative perceptions led to administrative proceedings and social interference. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji Church of Jesus' registration application, labeling it a "cult"—a term without clear legal definition. CAP LC noted that such terminology in official procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members faced workplace discrimination due to negative sentiment driven by media and church figures, exacerbated by a 2025 critical book by evangelical activists.
The statement also addressed controversy in South Korea over political participation. CAP LC criticized claims that church members' party membership amounts to "religion-politics collusion," stating that political participation should not be suspect solely based on religious affiliation. It called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and religious neutrality. Amid an investigation into church members' party membership, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee on June 24, citing concerns including evidence destruction. On June 29, the government joint investigation headquarters indicted Lee on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. The church maintains the case should be handled with due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy, noting that Lee, born in 1931, is 95, has cooperated with the investigation, and key materials have been secured.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the discrimination cases and the South Korean investigation raise a common question: what standards should state authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The church stated that the issue goes beyond a particular religious group and serves as a measure of whether religious minority rights are protected in domestic and international procedures. It stressed that the international community is watching to determine if legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld. Ultimately, the church said, the resolution will test the strength of social and institutional trust in protecting religious minorities.
For more information, visit https://www.shincheonji.org/en and https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
