International Human Rights Body Raises Alarm Over Global Discrimination Against Shincheonji Church Members

The international human rights organization CAP LC has formally submitted a joint statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council, expressing deep concern regarding the growing stigma and discrimination faced by members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The NGO emphasizes that negative, unverified perceptions originating in South Korea are increasingly influencing administrative and judicial decisions globally. They argue that governments must base their actions on objective legal standards and verifiable evidence rather than surrendering to social prejudice.

Reports from the United Kingdom and German-speaking regions highlight how this stigma has manifested in concrete harm, including rejected organizational registration and workplace discrimination. CAP LC warns that the use of vague, inflammatory labels such as cult in administrative procedures undermines the fundamental human rights of religious minorities. The organization asserts that allowing such unfounded bias to persist sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of all minority faith groups across international borders.

Furthermore, the statement addresses the ongoing political investigation in South Korea involving Chairman Lee Man-hee. CAP LC advocates for the protection of religious neutrality, cautioning that political participation should not be criminalized based on religious affiliation. By urging due process, the organization positions this case as a critical test for how state authorities uphold the rights of religious minorities against the pressures of political and social controversy.