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), focused on the standards by which such matters are assessed, warning that negative perceptions and unverified materials formed in South Korea could influence administrative and judicial decisions abroad.
CAP LC urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards. The church said the statement underscores the responsibility of states to protect the rights of all religious minorities, as unfounded stigma could set a precedent for judging other religious groups. CAP LC has previously raised issues including 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 statement cited 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 with no clear legal definition. CAP LC pointed out that such terminology in official administrative procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination amid negative public sentiment driven by certain media outlets and church figures, with a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists deepening discriminatory perceptions.
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 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 party membership of Shincheonji Church of Jesus members amounts to "religion-politics collusion," stating that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because of religious affiliation. CAP LC called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination and state religious neutrality.
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 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 the case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, rather than social perceptions or political controversy, aligning with CAP LC's concerns.
The necessity and proportionality of detention have also emerged as issues, given Lee's advanced age of 95 and his cooperation with the investigation. Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases of discrimination cited in the statement and the investigation in South Korea raise a common question: what standards should state authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The church said the issue goes beyond controversy over a particular group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are equally protected domestically and internationally. The international community is watching to determine whether legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld in South Korea's investigation and in administrative and judicial decisions abroad.
Ultimately, the church said, how the case is resolved will test the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities. SCJ TV, the official broadcasting channel of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, features worship, Bible education, teaching, and cultural content, aiming to make Bible-based teachings accessible worldwide.
