An international human rights organization, CAP LC (Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience), has submitted a joint written statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The statement, released on July 9, highlights how negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea could influence public opinion and administrative decisions abroad.
CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), focused on the standards by which such matters are assessed rather than the controversy surrounding the church itself. The organization urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards. It cited cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries where negative perceptions have led to administrative proceedings and workplace discrimination.
In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji's application for registration, labeling the church a “cult” without a clear legal definition. CAP LC pointed out that such terminology in official procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination amid negative public sentiment fueled by certain media outlets and church figures, including a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement demonstrated that unfounded stigma is not limited to isolated cases but is causing disadvantages for individual members in 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 political participation in South Korea, where some political forces have characterized Shincheonji members' party membership as “religion-politics collusion.” CAP LC argued that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because those involved are members of a particular religion, and it called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion and non-discrimination.
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 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 maintains that the case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions. The church has also raised concerns about the necessity and proportionality of detaining Lee, who is 95 years old, has cooperated with the investigation, and 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 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 see whether legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld, the church said, adding that the resolution of the case would test social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities.
For more information, visit the Shincheonji Church of Jesus website at https://www.shincheonji.org/en or SCJ TV at https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
