The case of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council on September 18, 2026, during the General Debate under Item 3 of the Council's 63rd session. CAP Freedom of Conscience delivered an oral statement highlighting that Lee, a Korean War veteran, is being held in pre-trial detention at the Seoul Detention Center in the Republic of Korea on nonviolent charges. The organization expressed serious concern over the conditions of his detention and what it describes as a politically motivated and discriminatory investigation targeting a religious minority.
According to the statement, despite having a fixed residence and posing no flight risk, Lee was held in cells without air conditioning during Seoul's most severe heatwave. This raises grave concerns about the health and well-being of the 95-year-old detainee. The treatment, CAP Freedom of Conscience argues, runs counter to the Republic of Korea's international obligations. 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 pre-trial detention a measure of last resort; and Article 18 protects freedom of religion or belief—a fundamental right that CAP Freedom of Conscience believes has been violated in this case.
The implications of this intervention are significant. By bringing the case before the UN Human Rights Council, CAP Freedom of Conscience is elevating a national legal matter to the international stage, pressuring the Republic of Korea to align its judicial practices with global human rights standards. The Council's scrutiny could lead to recommendations for alternatives to detention, an independent medical assessment, and a fair and impartial trial. Moreover, the case underscores broader concerns about the treatment of religious minorities and the use of pre-trial detention for nonviolent offenses, particularly against elderly individuals. If the Council calls on the Republic of Korea to honor its treaty obligations, it could set a precedent for how other nations handle similar cases, reinforcing the principle that detention must be a last resort and that religious freedom must be protected. The outcome may also influence public opinion and diplomatic relations, as international attention on the case grows.
