The Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience submitted this written statement during the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, held from 7 September to 9 October 2026, under Agenda Item 4. The statement expresses concern about the detention of Chairman Lee Man Hee, the 95 year old leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and its implications for elderly defendants, due process, and freedom of religion or belief.
The statement notes that the allegations concern political participation by members of his religious community and are nonviolent in nature. CAP LC argues that participation in political life is a right enjoyed by all citizens. It maintains that the separation of religion and state protects institutions from undue interference and should not be interpreted as requiring religious believers to abstain from civic engagement.
CAP LC also raises concern about public remarks made by the Minister of Justice while investigations were ongoing. According to the statement, describing criminal punishment as inevitable and referring to Chairman Lee as a false prophet risks undermining the presumption of innocence and the appearance of judicial impartiality. The statement further calls for accuracy when foreign judicial decisions are invoked in support of measures that could affect the legal status of religious organizations.
Emphasizing that pretrial detention should be used only when strictly necessary, the statement urges the Government of the Republic of Korea to review the necessity of Chairman Lee’s continued detention in light of his age, health, and the nature of the allegations. It calls for proceedings that fully respect the presumption of innocence, restraint in public statements by authorities, and measures affecting religious organizations that are based on accurate information and consistent with international human rights standards.
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