The international human rights organization CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, has submitted a joint written statement to the UN Human Rights Council expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The statement, released on July 9, focuses not on the controversies surrounding the church itself but on the standards by which such matters are assessed, warning that negative perceptions and unverified materials formed in South Korea could influence public opinion and administrative 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, noting that if unfounded stigma gains international acceptance, other religious minorities could face similar treatment.
The statement cited cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected the church's registration application, describing it as a 'cult'—a term lacking 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 fueled by negative media and church figures. A critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists was cited as a major factor deepening discriminatory perceptions.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said these cases demonstrate that unfounded stigma and unverified claims are causing disadvantages for individual members in workplaces, families, and broader social lives, calling for administrative and judicial decisions 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,' stating that political participation should not be grounds for suspicion solely because of religious affiliation. 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, and on June 29, the government indicted him 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, not social perceptions or political controversy. The church also raised concerns about the necessity and proportionality of detaining Lee, who is 95 years old and has cooperated with the investigation.
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 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 religious minorities' rights are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. The international community is watching to see if legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld, the church added.
Ultimately, the church said, how the case is resolved will test the strength of social and institutional trust in protecting religious minorities, beyond the matter of a single religious organization. For more information, visit Shincheonji Church or SCJ TV Global.
