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 (ECOSOC), urged governments to base any decisions concerning the church on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards, rather than unverified materials originating from South Korea.
In its statement, CAP LC criticized the use of terms like "cult" in official administrative procedures, such as the Charity Commission's rejection of Shincheonji's registration application in the United Kingdom. The group noted that such labels, lacking clear legal definitions, can produce strong social stigma. In German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination fueled by negative media coverage and a 2025 book by evangelical activists, according to the statement. CAP LC warned that if unfounded stigma gains international acceptance, other religious minorities could face similar treatment.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the CAP LC statement demonstrates that the controversy is not merely a domestic issue in South Korea but one drawing international attention. The church emphasized that unfounded stigma is causing disadvantages for individual members in workplaces, families, and social lives, and called for administrative and judicial decisions to be based on clear legal standards and verifiable evidence. The church also addressed the ongoing investigation in South Korea, where Chairman Lee Man-hee, aged 95, was indicted on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. The church maintains that due process and objective evidence should prevail over social perceptions or political controversy.
CAP LC also criticized claims by some South Korean political forces that church members' political participation amounts to "religion-politics collusion," arguing that such participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because of religious affiliation. The group called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and state religious neutrality. The church noted that the necessity and proportionality of Lee's detention have emerged as issues, given his advanced age and cooperation with the investigation.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases of discrimination cited in CAP LC's statement and the South Korean investigation raise a common question: what standards should state judicial and administrative authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The church asserted that the issue transcends any 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 determine whether legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld, the church said, adding that the resolution of this case will measure the strength of social and institutional trust in protecting religious minorities.
