The pretrial detention of a 95-year-old religious leader in the Republic of Korea has become the focus of an international human rights appeal, raising serious questions about the treatment of religious minorities and the limits of state power. On 18 September 2026, CAP Freedom of Conscience delivered an oral statement during the general debate under Item 3 of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, highlighting the case of Chairman Lee Man-hee. Lee, the founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and a veteran of the Korean War, is currently held at the Seoul Detention Center on non-violent charges. The organization describes the investigation as politically driven and discriminatory, targeting a religious minority, and warns that the conditions of his detention may amount to a violation of South Korea's international obligations.
At the heart of the concern is the detention itself. 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. For a 95-year-old detainee, such conditions raise grave concerns for his health and well-being. CAP Freedom of Conscience argues that this treatment runs counter to several international human rights standards. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) requires detention to be necessary and proportionate. Article 10 guarantees humane treatment for all persons deprived of liberty. The Nelson Mandela Rules entitle detainees to healthcare equivalent to that available in the community, while the Tokyo Rules make pretrial detention a measure of last resort. Furthermore, Article 18 of the ICCPR protects freedom of religion or belief—a right that CAP Freedom of Conscience considers disregarded in this case.
The implications of this case extend beyond one individual. If a 95-year-old religious leader can be held in harsh conditions on non-violent charges despite clear alternatives, it sets a troubling precedent for the treatment of minority faith communities in South Korea and beyond. The UN Human Rights Council, as the primary global forum for the promotion and protection of all human rights, now faces a test of its ability to hold member states accountable to their treaty commitments. CAP Freedom of Conscience is urging the Council to call on the Republic of Korea to honor its obligations by offering alternatives to detention, allowing an independent medical assessment, and ensuring a fair and impartial trial. The organization's intervention underscores the broader principle that pretrial detention should not be used as a punitive measure, especially when the accused is elderly, infirm, and poses no danger to society.
This case also highlights the critical role of civil society in bringing overlooked violations to the international stage. CAP Freedom of Conscience, a secular European NGO with United Nations Consultative Status, has a long history of documenting discrimination against religious or belief communities and advocating for their rights. By elevating Chairman Lee's situation to the Human Rights Council, the organization seeks to generate debate and pressure for reform. The outcome of this appeal could influence how the international community addresses similar cases of arbitrary detention and religious persecution. As the Council considers the statement, the world watches to see whether the Republic of Korea will align its practices with the human rights standards it has pledged to uphold.
