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. The statement, which focuses on the standards by which such matters are assessed, warns that negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea could impact public opinion, administrative proceedings, and judicial decisions abroad.
CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council, urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards. The church said the statement highlights that if unfounded stigma gains international acceptance, other religious minorities could face similar judgment, underscoring states' responsibility to protect religious minority rights.
The statement cites cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji Church of Jesus' registration application, describing the church as a "cult"—a term without clear legal definition. CAP LC noted that using 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 from certain media and church figures. A critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists deepened discriminatory perceptions, according to CAP LC.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said these cases demonstrate that unfounded stigma and unverified claims cause disadvantages for individual members in workplaces, families, and social lives. It called for administrative and judicial decisions 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 that church members' party membership amounts to "religion-politics collusion," arguing that political participation should not be grounds for suspicion solely due to religious affiliation. CAP LC called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and religious neutrality.
South Korea is currently 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 this case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy. The church noted that Lee, born in 1931 and now 95, has cooperated with the investigation, and key materials have been secured through searches and seizures, raising questions about the necessity and proportionality of detention.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the discrimination cases 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 a particular religious group and serves as a measure of whether religious minority rights are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. The international community is watching to determine if legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld in South Korea's investigation and in administrative and judicial decisions in other countries. Ultimately, the church said, how the case is resolved will test the strength of social and institutional trust in protecting religious minorities.
