An international human rights organization has called on governments to base decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards, warning that unfounded stigma against the religious group could set a dangerous precedent for other minorities. The Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council, submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council on July 9 expressing concern over the spread of discrimination against Shincheonji members abroad.
CAP LC focused on the standards by which such matters are assessed, urging that negative perceptions and unverified materials formed in South Korea, if disseminated abroad, could seriously impact public opinion, administrative proceedings, and judicial decisions in other countries. Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement showed that if unfounded stigma gained international acceptance, other religious minorities could be judged similarly, underscoring states' responsibility to protect the rights of all religious minorities.
The statement cited specific cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji Church of Jesus' application for registration, describing the church as a 'cult'—a term whose legal definition remains unclear. CAP LC pointed out that using such terms without a clear legal basis in official administrative procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination amid negative public sentiment driven by certain media outlets and church figures. A critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists was cited as a major factor deepening discriminatory perceptions.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said such cases were not isolated instances of harm but part of a pattern where unfounded stigma and unverified claims cause disadvantages for members in their workplaces, families, and broader social lives. The church called for administrative and judicial decisions in each country to be 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 the party membership of Shincheonji Church members amounted to 'religion-politics collusion,' arguing that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because those involved are members of a particular religion. The NGO called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, the principle of non-discrimination, and the state's religious neutrality.
Currently, South Korea is investigating allegations related to church members' party membership. On June 24, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee, 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. Shincheonji Church of Jesus maintains that this case should be handled in accordance with due process and objective evidence, rather than social perceptions or political controversy, echoing concerns raised in CAP LC's statement.
The necessity and proportionality of detention have also emerged as issues, given that Lee, born in 1931 and now 95, is of advanced age, has actively cooperated with the investigation, and key materials have already been secured through searches and seizures. Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases of discrimination cited in the statement and the investigation in South Korea raised a common question: what standards should state judicial and administrative authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities?
The church said the issue goes beyond controversy over a particular religious group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are being equally protected in domestic and international procedures. This is why the international community is watching the case—to determine whether legal grounds and the principles of due process are being consistently upheld. Ultimately, the church said, how the case is resolved would serve as a test of the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities.
