More than 2500 people attended the Voices for Human Rights and Religious Freedom Conference in Anaheim, California, on 25th July 2026, where human rights and religious freedom were key topics. Participants and human rights advocates called for the release of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee, who remains in pretrial detention in South Korea.
According to the conference’s organisers and a press release cited by Davis Vanguard, advocates questioned whether continued detention is proportionate given Chairman Lee’s age and the non-violent nature of the charges. Advocates highlighted what they described as its potential implications for religious minorities worldwide and also raised broader concerns about due process and religious freedom.
Bishop Ray Moten of Joseph of Jacob United Church, who has known the Shincheonji founder for a decade through interfaith peace initiatives, stressed the importance of supporting fellow religious leaders.
“I struggle to understand why a 95-year-old man, whom no one considers a threat, remains in prison under these circumstances,” Bishop Moten said. “When we remain silent in the face of questions of justice, we risk weakening the principles that safeguard every community.”
South Korean authorities have charged Chairman Lee with violations of the Political Parties Act and obstruction of business, alleging that he pressured followers to join the People Power Party. Chairman Lee and Shincheonji have denied the allegations. The case remains before the courts, and no final determination of guilt or innocence has been made.
Source: https://tinyurl.com/53ecabm7
