A nongovernmental organization with United Nations consultative status has raised the case of a 95-year-old religious leader being held in pretrial detention in South Korea, arguing that his treatment violates international human rights standards and raises broader questions about discrimination against religious minorities.
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, which addresses the promotion and protection of all human rights. The statement focused on Chairman Lee Man-hee, founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and a veteran of the Korean War, who is currently detained at the Seoul Detention Center on non-violent charges.
CAP Freedom of Conscience expressed serious concern that the investigation appears to be politically driven and discriminatory against a religious minority. The organization also highlighted the conditions of detention, noting that despite Chairman Lee having a fixed residence and posing no flight risk, he was held in cells without air conditioning during Seoul’s most severe heatwave. This, the group said, raises grave concerns for the health of a 95-year-old detainee.
The statement cited several international legal instruments that it says South Korea is obligated to uphold. 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.
CAP Freedom of Conscience urged the Human Rights 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.
The organization, also known as CAP Liberté de Conscience, was established in 1995 and works to protect freedom of religion or belief and raise awareness of discrimination affecting religious and belief communities.
The case has drawn attention from the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which operates a global media platform, SCJ TV, to make its Bible-based teachings accessible worldwide. The church’s official website is https://www.shincheonji.org/en, and its broadcasting channel can be found at https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
The outcome of this case could have implications for how the international community addresses the treatment of religious minorities and the elderly in detention, particularly in countries with aging populations and strict legal systems. It also underscores ongoing debates about the use of pretrial detention and the application of international human rights law in national contexts.
