The international human rights organization CAP LC has submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the church announced on July 9. CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council, focused its statement on the standards by which such matters are assessed, urging governments to base decisions on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.
CAP LC cited cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries where negative perceptions of Shincheonji members have led to administrative proceedings and workplace discrimination. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected the church's registration application, labeling it a "cult" without a clear legal definition. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists has fueled discriminatory perceptions, resulting in members facing disadvantages at work and in their social lives.
The statement also addressed controversy in South Korea over political participation by church members. CAP LC criticized claims that party membership by Shincheonji members amounts to "religion-politics collusion," arguing that political participation should not be grounds for suspicion solely based on religious affiliation. It called on the South Korean government to uphold religious freedom and state neutrality.
In South Korea, an investigation is underway into allegations related to church members' party membership. On June 24, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee, citing concerns of evidence destruction, and on June 29, he was indicted on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. The church maintains that the case should be handled based on due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions. Given Lee's advanced age of 95 and his cooperation with the investigation, the church questions the necessity and proportionality of his detention.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases highlighted in CAP LC's statement and the investigation in South Korea raise a common question: what standards should state authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The church argues that the issue goes beyond a single religious group and serves as a test of whether the rights of religious minorities are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. The international community is watching to see if legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld.
CAP LC has previously brought before the United Nations 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 submission of this statement indicates that the case involving Shincheonji is drawing attention under international human rights standards. More information is available on the church's official broadcasting channel.
