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, highlighting serious concerns about the treatment of religious minorities and the elderly in detention. On 18 September 2026, CAP Freedom of Conscience, a secular European NGO with UN Consultative Status, delivered an oral statement during the general debate under Item 3 of the Council's 63rd session in Geneva. The statement focuses on Lee's pretrial detention at the Seoul Detention Center in the Republic of Korea on non-violent charges, despite his fixed residence and lack of flight risk.
The organization describes the investigation as politically driven and discriminatory, targeting a religious minority. It points to the conditions of Lee's detention, particularly that he was held in cells without air conditioning during Seoul's most severe heatwave. This raises grave concerns for the health of a 95-year-old detainee, who is also a veteran of the Korean War. Such treatment, the statement argues, contravenes the Republic of Korea's international obligations under several 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; the Tokyo Rules make pretrial detention a measure of last resort; and Article 18 protects freedom of religion or belief—a right that CAP Freedom of Conscience considers disregarded in this case.
This intervention matters because it underscores the broader implications of Lee's case for religious freedom and the rule of law in South Korea. By taking the case to the UN Human Rights Council, CAP Freedom of Conscience aims to pressure the South Korean government to honor its treaty obligations. The organization urges the Council to call on the Republic of Korea to offer alternatives to detention, allow an independent medical assessment, and ensure a fair and impartial trial. The case also highlights the vulnerability of elderly detainees and the need for humane conditions, especially during extreme weather events. If the allegations of politically motivated persecution are accurate, this case could set a precedent for how religious minorities are treated in the country and beyond.
CAP Freedom of Conscience, created in 1995, is dedicated to protecting the right to freedom of religion and belief. It combats discrimination based on religion or belief by alerting European and international bodies, collecting testimonies of violations, and advocating for the recognition of all religious or spiritual groups. The organization is a member of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB), the European Network on Religion and Belief (ENORB), and participates in the Civil Society Platform of Fundamental Rights created by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency. Its involvement in this case reflects a growing international scrutiny of South Korea's treatment of religious minorities, particularly the Shincheonji Church, which has faced significant stigma and legal challenges in recent years. The outcome of this UN intervention could influence not only Lee's immediate situation but also the broader landscape of religious freedom and human rights in the region.
