An international human rights organization has taken the case of Shincheonji Church of Jesus to the United Nations, warning that stigma against the religious group is spreading across borders and could undermine protections for all religious minorities. The Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), which holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, submitted a joint written statement to the UN Human Rights Council on July 9 expressing concern over discrimination and prejudice against members of the church.
CAP LC’s statement, reported by Shincheonji Church of Jesus on July 9, focused not on the controversies surrounding the church itself but on the standards by which such matters are assessed. The group warned that negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea, if disseminated abroad, could seriously impact public opinion, administrative proceedings, and judicial decisions in other countries. CAP LC urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.
The statement cited specific cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ application for registration, describing the church as a ‘cult’—a term with no clear legal definition. CAP LC pointed out that using such terms in official administrative procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination amid negative public sentiment driven by certain media outlets and church figures. CAP LC said a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists deepened discriminatory perceptions.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement shows that unfounded stigma, if allowed to gain international acceptance, could lead to other religious minorities being judged in the same manner. The church called for administrative and judicial decisions in each country to be based on clear legal standards and verifiable evidence, adding that such cases are not limited to isolated instances but cause disadvantages for individual members in workplaces, families, and broader social lives.
The statement also addressed controversy in South Korea over political participation. CAP LC criticized claims by some political forces that party membership of Shincheonji members amounts to ‘religion-politics collusion,’ arguing that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because those involved are members of a particular religion. CAP LC called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, the principle of non-discrimination, and the state’s 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 including possible destruction of evidence. 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 in accordance with due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy. The church also questions the necessity and proportionality of detaining Lee, who is 95 years old, has cooperated with the investigation, and whose key materials have already been secured.
CAP LC, which has previously raised issues including the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over the Japanese government’s request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church, said the case of Shincheonji Church of Jesus is not merely a domestic controversy but one drawing attention in light of international human rights standards. Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the issue goes beyond controversy over a particular religious group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. The church said how the case is resolved will test the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities.
This news story relied on content distributed by 24-7 Press Release. Blockchain Registration, Verification & Enhancement provided by NewsRamp™. The source URL for this press release is UN Rights Body Urges Protection for Shincheonji Members Amid Global Stigma.