European scholars of religion are voicing strong opposition to the detention of Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old Chairman of Shincheonji Church, urging the South Korean government to release him immediately. The detention, which occurred on 24 June on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act, has sparked international criticism from academics and human rights advocates who argue that holding an elderly religious leader under such circumstances is unjust and unlawful.
At the Ninth Annual Conference of the European Academy of Religion (EuARe) held in Rome on 3 July, scholars addressed the situation surrounding Shincheonji Church during a session titled "Shincheonji, a Korean New Religion in Global Context." Dr. Massimo Introvigne, a sociologist of religion and founder of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), condemned the detention, noting that in European Union countries, individuals over 80 are only exceptionally placed in jail, typically for violent crimes. "Here, of course, there are no blood crimes, and the accusations are violations of electoral law," he said, adding that the detention violates international law, including the United Nations' Mandela Rules, which restrict preliminary detention for elderly prisoners. He described the situation as "an unmitigated scandal" that masks a "political and religious vendetta."
Eric Roux, President of the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (EIFRF), echoed these sentiments, stating, "A man of 95 years old being put in jail is not something that you can reconcile with the objective of respecting human dignity." He urged a swift review to avoid damage to South Korea's reputation, insisting, "Get that man out of jail and do it now."
Human rights lawyer Alessandro Amicarelli, Chairman of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB), expressed shock at the detention, emphasizing that South Korea has long been considered a democracy where human rights are upheld. "What's happening now is truly shocking," he said, adding that it appears South Korea is departing from its own constitutional and human rights foundations. He affirmed his support for Shincheonji in its fight against abuse and persecution.
The detention has also drawn attention from international human rights organizations. United for Human Rights and Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP-LC) submitted a joint written statement to the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council on 25 May, highlighting the intensified situation in South Korea. The statement argued that framing church members' political party registration as evidence of "religion–politics collusion" is inconsistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees citizens the right to participate in political life. The organizations also noted that senior officials have publicly referred to Shincheonji as a "criminal organization," violating the presumption of innocence, and urged the South Korean government to reaffirm its commitment to freedom of religion and state neutrality.
Shincheonji Church maintains that Chairman Lee has cooperated fully with the investigation and that individual members freely participated in political activities. The church expressed deep regret over the detention, stating that it amounts to physical punishment for an elderly man. As international support and petitions grow, pressure mounts on the South Korean government and judiciary to secure Lee's release, which the church argues is essential for safeguarding freedom of religion and human rights—core values of democracy.
