The Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), an international NGO with special consultative status at the U.N. Economic and Social Council, has submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The statement, released on July 9, warns that negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea could influence public opinion, administrative proceedings, and judicial decisions abroad.
CAP LC urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards. The organization highlighted cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries where members have faced administrative hurdles and workplace discrimination. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected the church's registration application, labeling it a "cult" without a clear legal definition. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists has deepened negative sentiments, leading to workplace disadvantages for members.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement underscores that unfounded stigma, if allowed to gain international acceptance, could set a precedent for judging other religious minorities. The church emphasized that administrative and judicial decisions should be based on clear legal standards and verifiable evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy.
The statement also addressed the controversy in South Korea over political participation by church members. CAP LC criticized claims of "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, non-discrimination, and 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 of evidence destruction. 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 church also raised concerns about the necessity and proportionality of detaining Lee, who is 95 years old, has cooperated with the investigation, and key materials have already been secured. Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases of discrimination cited in the 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 said the issue goes beyond controversy over a particular religious group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are being equally protected in domestic and international procedures.
Ultimately, the church said, how the case is resolved would test the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities. More information about Shincheonji Church of Jesus is available on its official website at https://www.shincheonji.org/en and its broadcasting channel at https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
