At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, CAP Liberté de Conscience submitted a written statement raising serious concerns over the threatened dissolution of the Shincheonji Church and other minority religious organizations in the Republic of Korea. The document condemns efforts by President Lee Jae Myung to disband groups labeled as “pseudo-religions,” arguing that such state actions violate Article 18 of the ICCPR by allowing the government to act as a theological arbiter. CAP LC challenges the cited Japanese precedent, noting UN Special Rapporteurs’ criticism of dissolution orders based on vague concepts of “public welfare.” The statement further refutes claims of “enormous damage,” highlighting the Supreme Court’s acquittal of Shincheonji regarding COVID-19 allegations and the lack of coercive elements in its past evangelism methods. Consequently, CAP LC urges the Korean authorities to respect freedom of religion or belief and cease discriminatory campaigns driven by religious intolerance.
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