UN Human Rights Council Urged to Address Detention of Chairman Lee Man-hee

During the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, CAP Freedom of Conscience formally addressed the concerning pretrial detention of 95-year-old Chairman Lee Man-hee. As the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and a respected Korean War veteran, Lee is currently held in the Seoul Detention Center on non-violent charges. Advocates argue that his ongoing incarceration appears to be a politically motivated action that specifically targets a religious minority.

Reports regarding the conditions of his confinement have sparked international alarm, particularly regarding the lack of adequate climate control during extreme heatwaves. Legal experts and human rights observers emphasize that this treatment potentially violates international standards, including the ICCPR and the Nelson Mandela Rules. These guidelines explicitly mandate that pretrial detention should be a measure of last resort and that all detainees must receive humane treatment and appropriate medical care.

CAP Freedom of Conscience is now calling upon the Republic of Korea to uphold its treaty obligations by providing immediate alternatives to detention. They are demanding an independent medical assessment for Chairman Lee and a guarantee of a fair, impartial judicial process. This intervention highlights the critical importance of protecting religious freedom and ensuring that legal systems are not weaponized against specific belief communities.