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 expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, according to an announcement by the church on July 9.
In the statement, CAP LC focused on the standards by which such matters are assessed, rather than the controversy surrounding the church itself. The group expressed concern that negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea, if disseminated abroad, could have a serious impact on public opinion, administrative proceedings, and judicial decisions in other countries. CAP LC therefore urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement highlighted that if unfounded stigma were allowed to gain international acceptance, other religious minorities could also be judged similarly, 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 including the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over violations of religious freedom related to the Japanese government's request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church.
The statement 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, describing it as a "cult," a term with no 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, a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists was cited as a major factor deepening discriminatory perceptions, leading to workplace discrimination against members.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said these cases demonstrate 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," arguing that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because those involved are members of a particular religion. CAP LC called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, the principle of non-discrimination, and the state's religious neutrality.
Amid these concerns, South Korea is conducting an investigation into 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 this case should be handled in accordance with due process and objective evidence, rather than social perceptions or political controversy.
The necessity and proportionality of detaining Lee, who is 95 years old, have also emerged as issues. The church argues that given his advanced age, cooperation with the investigation, and the fact that key materials have already been secured through searches and seizures, detention should be subject to stricter scrutiny.
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 said the issue goes beyond controversy over a particular religious group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are being equally protected domestically and internationally. How the case is resolved would serve as a test of the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities.
SCJ TV is the official broadcasting channel of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, featuring worship, Bible education, teaching, and cultural content. More information can be found at https://www.shincheonji.org/en and https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
