Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, announced on July 9 that the international human rights organization CAP LC (Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience) has submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council. The statement expresses concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus across borders.
In its statement, CAP LC focused less on the controversies surrounding the church itself and more on the standards by which such matters are assessed. The organization warned that negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea, if disseminated abroad, could significantly impact public opinion, administrative proceedings, and judicial decisions in other countries. CAP LC urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus stated that the submission demonstrates that if unfounded stigma gains international acceptance, other religious minorities could face similar treatment, underscoring the responsibility of states to protect the rights of all religious minorities. CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), has previously raised issues such as the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over religious freedom violations related to the Japanese government's request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church.
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 with an unclear legal definition. CAP LC pointed out that the use of such terms in official administrative procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination driven by negative public sentiment fueled by certain media outlets and church figures. A critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists was identified as a major factor deepening discriminatory perceptions.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said these cases are not isolated but indicate that unfounded stigma and unverified claims are causing disadvantages for individual 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 members amounts to 'religion-politics collusion,' stating that political participation should not be grounds for suspicion solely because individuals belong to a particular religion. CAP LC called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, the principle of non-discrimination, and religious neutrality.
Amid these concerns, 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 the case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy. The church also raised concerns about the necessity and proportionality of detention, noting that Lee, born in 1931 and now 95, is of advanced age, has cooperated with the investigation, and that key materials have already been secured.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases of discrimination cited in CAP LC's statement and the investigation in South Korea raise a common question: what standards should state judicial and administrative authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The church emphasized that the issue goes beyond controversy over a particular religious group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. The international community is watching to determine whether legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld in South Korea's investigation and in administrative and judicial decisions in other countries. Ultimately, how the case is resolved will test the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities.
