On 18 September 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 brought international attention to 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. This intervention matters because it frames a national legal case as a test of South Korea's commitment to international human rights law, potentially influencing how the UN and other bodies monitor religious freedom and detention practices.
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 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 implications are significant: if such treatment continues unchecked, it could set a precedent for the marginalization of religious groups and undermine confidence in South Korea's justice system. The case also underscores the broader risk that pretrial detention may be used disproportionately against minority faith leaders, chilling religious expression and association.
The statement recalls 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. These provisions are not merely technical; they represent binding commitments that, when violated, can erode public trust in legal institutions and invite scrutiny from UN treaty bodies. For a democracy like South Korea, which has positioned itself as a regional human rights leader, the perception of targeting a religious minority could damage its international standing and complicate its diplomatic relations.
CAP Freedom of Conscience urges the Council to call on the Republic of Korea to honour its treaty obligations by offering alternatives to detention, allowing an independent medical assessment, and ensuring a fair and impartial trial. The organization's intervention at the Human Rights Council is a reminder that international mechanisms exist to address alleged abuses, but their effectiveness depends on member states' willingness to respond. Should the Council take up the case, it could pressure South Korean authorities to review detention conditions and procedures, not only for Chairman Lee but for other detainees in similar situations. Conversely, inaction might signal that religious discrimination and harsh pretrial treatment can proceed without consequence, emboldening other states to adopt similar approaches.
CAP Freedom of Conscience is a secular European NGO with United Nations Consultative Status, created in 1995 and dedicated to protect the Right of Freedom of Religion and Belief. It combats all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief by alerting European and International bodies, and collects testimonies of discrimination and human rights violations affecting religious or belief communities in order to disseminate them to international bodies and generate debate on the protection of Freedom of Religion and Belief. The organization's involvement elevates a specific case into a broader conversation about the treatment of religious minorities worldwide, highlighting the importance of international oversight in safeguarding fundamental rights.
