The Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), an international human rights organization with special consultative status at the United Nations, 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 the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The statement, highlighted by the church on July 9, focuses on the potential for unverified materials and negative perceptions originating in South Korea to influence public opinion and official actions in other countries.
CAP LC urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards, warning that unfounded stigma could set a precedent affecting other religious minorities. The organization has previously raised issues such as the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over religious freedom violations in Japan regarding the Unification Church.
Specific cases cited include the United Kingdom's Charity Commission rejecting Shincheonji's registration application, describing the church as a 'cult'—a term without clear legal definition. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination driven by negative media and a critical 2025 book by evangelical activists. CAP LC argued that such administrative and social actions lack verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.
The statement also addressed controversy in South Korea over church members' political party membership, criticizing claims of 'religion-politics collusion' and calling on the government to uphold religious neutrality. This comes amid an investigation into church members' party affiliations and the arrest of Chairman Lee Man-hee on June 24, with an indictment on June 29 for alleged violations of the Political Parties Act. Shincheonji maintains that the case should be handled based on due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions.
The church argues that the necessity and proportionality of detention are questionable given Lee's age (95) and cooperation with authorities. It sees the CAP LC statement as validation that the issue transcends domestic controversy, raising questions about how states should treat religious minorities. The outcome, the church says, will test the strength of institutional trust in protecting religious freedom.
