When international human rights experts and domestic civil leaders gathered at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on 7th August 2026, their message was unambiguous: defending religious freedom is not about endorsing specific theological doctrines, but about safeguarding universal human rights principles.

Organised by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) alongside CAP-LC, FOREF Germany, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, the press conference addressed growing concerns over state neutrality, procedural fairness, and the pretrial detention of 95-year-old Chairman ManHee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

Following the press conference, the participating international delegates submitted a Statement to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), advocating for the humanitarian treatment of ultra-elderly detainees. What follows is the content of this petition, titled 'Statement to the Government of the Republic of Korea.'

"We, scholars and human rights activists from various European countries, respectfully submit this statement after visiting and meeting with Chairman Lee Man-hee and related officials on August 6, during which three of us met the Chairman at his place of detention. As academics, we have studied Shincheonji for many years: one of us has repeatedly interviewed Chairman Lee and authored what are widely regarded as the standard scholarly accounts of the movement; others have produced monographic studies on its international missionary development in several countries.

We hold the deepest respect for the democratic institutions of the Republic of Korea and have no desire to interfere with the functioning of its justice system. We note, however, that the case against Chairman Lee unfolds in a climate where media representations of Shincheonji as a “cult” often rely on polemical accounts by religious opponents who denounce it as “heresy,” while disregarding the findings of academic research.

We also observe that Korean legislation concerning the political participation of clergy is among the most restrictive in the world and may be difficult to reconcile with international norms affirming the right of believers to take part in political life. In several democratic countries, political parties inspired by religious organizations exist, and the United States is currently considering the removal of commissions limiting clergy from endorsing candidates.

Chairman Lee is ninety-five years old. In the European Union, from which we come, pre-trial detention for older defendants is considered an exceptional measure, permitted only when violent crimes are alleged—which is not the case here. In comparable situations, defendants are placed under house arrest.

This approach is consistent with the Mandela Rules and other United Nations standards.

For humanitarian reasons, and in accordance with international principles protecting older defendants, we respectfully request the immediate release of Chairman Lee from custody, so that he may stand trial without being held in detention."

Signed