The international human rights organization CAP LC (Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience) has submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. The statement, released on July 9, focuses on the standards by which such matters are assessed, warning that negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea could have a serious impact on 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 church responded that the statement shows how unfounded stigma, if allowed to gain international acceptance, could lead to other religious minorities being judged in the same manner, underscoring the responsibility of states to protect the rights of all religious minorities.
CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), has consistently raised cases involving religious freedom, including the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over violations stemming from the Japanese government's request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church. The church noted that the involvement of such an international NGO demonstrates that the case is not merely a domestic controversy but one drawing attention in light of international human rights standards.
The statement cited specific cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji Church's registration application, describing the church as a "cult"—a term whose legal definition remains unclear. CAP LC pointed out that using such terms without clear legal basis in official administrative procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination fueled by negative public sentiment driven by certain media outlets and church figures. A critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists was identified as a major factor deepening discriminatory perceptions. The church said these cases are not isolated, as unfounded stigma and unverified claims cause disadvantages for members in workplaces, families, and broader social lives, calling for administrative and judicial decisions based on clear legal standards and verifiable evidence.
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," stating that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because individuals belong to a particular religion. The group called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and religious neutrality. Amid an investigation into church members' party membership, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee on June 24, 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. The church maintains that the case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy, aligning with CAP LC's concerns.
The necessity and proportionality of detaining Lee, born in 1931 and now 95, have also emerged as issues. The church argues that detention should be strictly scrutinized given his advanced age, cooperation with the investigation, and the fact that key materials have already been secured through searches and seizures. The church said the cases of discrimination cited in CAP LC's statement and the domestic investigation raise a common question: what standards should state judicial and administrative authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The issue goes beyond controversy over a particular religious group, serving as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. The international community is watching to determine whether legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld in South Korea's investigation and in administrative and judicial decisions abroad. Ultimately, how the case is resolved will test the strength of social and institutional trust in protecting religious minorities.
SCJ is an abbreviation for Shincheonji. SCJ TV is the official broadcasting channel of Shincheonji Church of Jesus. More information is available at https://www.shincheonji.org/en and https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
