The case of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has been brought before the United Nations Human Rights Council, raising significant concerns about religious freedom and the treatment of elderly detainees in the Republic of Korea. On 18 September 2026, CAP Freedom of Conscience, a secular European NGO with UN consultative status, delivered an oral statement during the general debate under Item 3 of the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council, focusing on the promotion and protection of all human rights.
Chairman Lee, a veteran of the Korean War, is currently held in pretrial detention 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, targeting a religious minority. Despite having a fixed residence and posing no flight risk, Chairman Lee was held in cells without air conditioning during Seoul's most severe heatwave, raising grave concerns for the health of a 95-year-old detainee. The organization argues that such conditions violate the Republic of Korea's international obligations under several human rights instruments.
According to the statement, Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) requires detention to be necessary and proportionate. Article 10 guarantees humane treatment, while 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. The organization emphasizes that the detention of an elderly religious leader under such conditions not only endangers his life but also sends a chilling message to religious minorities in the country.
The implications of this case extend beyond the individual. It tests the Republic of Korea's commitment to international human rights standards and its willingness to uphold freedom of religion or belief. If the allegations of political motivation and discriminatory treatment are substantiated, they could undermine the country's reputation as a democratic society that respects minority rights. Moreover, the case highlights the broader issue of pretrial detention practices, particularly for the elderly and those accused of non-violent offenses. The Human Rights Council's response could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled globally.
CAP Freedom of Conscience urges the 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's intervention at the Human Rights Council is part of its broader mission to combat all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and to advocate for the rights of religious or spiritual groups facing persecution. As a member of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB), the European Network on Religion and Belief (ENORB), and a participant in the Civil Society Platform of Fundamental Rights created by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, CAP Freedom of Conscience leverages its international networks to amplify the voices of those it believes are unjustly targeted.
The outcome of this case will be closely watched by human rights advocates and religious communities worldwide. It underscores the importance of international oversight in ensuring that domestic legal systems adhere to human rights norms, especially when vulnerable individuals are involved. The Council's action, or lack thereof, will signal whether the international community is prepared to hold states accountable for practices that contravene fundamental freedoms.
