On September 18, 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 highlighted 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.
CAP Freedom of Conscience expressed serious concern regarding what it describes as 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 statement recalled 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.
CAP Freedom of Conscience urged 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.
CAP Liberté de Conscience is a European nongovernmental organization established in 1995 with United Nations ECOSOC consultative status. The organization works to protect freedom of religion or belief and raise awareness of discrimination affecting religious and belief communities.
SCJ is an abbreviation for Shincheonji. SCJ TV is the official broadcasting channel of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. As a global media platform featuring worship, Bible education, teaching, and cultural content, SCJ TV aims to make its Bible-based teachings accessible to audiences worldwide, transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries. More information about Shincheonji is available at https://www.shincheonji.org/en, and SCJ TV's content can be accessed at https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
This development matters because it underscores the ongoing scrutiny of South Korea's treatment of religious minorities and the broader implications for human rights compliance under international law. If the allegations are substantiated, they could prompt the UN Human Rights Council to increase pressure on South Korea to reform its pretrial detention practices and ensure greater protection for freedom of religion or belief. For religious communities worldwide, the case serves as a test of how governments balance national security or public order concerns with fundamental rights. The outcome may influence how similar cases are handled in other countries, particularly where minority faiths face discrimination. Moreover, the health risks faced by a nonagenarian detainee during extreme weather highlight the urgent need for detention conditions that meet international standards. As the international community watches, the response of South Korean authorities could set a precedent for the treatment of elderly and vulnerable detainees, reinforcing or undermining trust in the country's commitment to human rights.
