UN Human Rights Council Raises Concerns Over Pretrial Detention of Shincheonji Leader Lee Man-hee

CAP Freedom of Conscience has raised concerns over the pretrial detention of Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, at the Seoul Detention Center in the Republic of Korea.

The organisation made the remarks in an oral statement delivered on 18 September 2026 during the general debate under Item 3 of the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which focuses on the promotion and protection of all human rights.

According to CAP Freedom of Conscience, Lee Man-hee, a veteran of the Korean War, is currently being held in pretrial detention over what the organisation describes as non-violent charges.

The organisation expressed serious concern over what it described as a potentially politically driven and discriminatory investigation targeting a religious minority. It also raised concerns about the conditions under which the 95-year-old is being detained.

The statement said that despite Lee Man-hee having a fixed residence and, according to the organisation, no flight risk, he was held in cells without air conditioning during what was described as Seoul’s most severe heatwave, raising concerns about the health and wellbeing of an elderly detainee.

CAP Freedom of Conscience referred to several international human rights standards, including Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which concerns the necessity and proportionality of detention, and Article 10, which requires humane treatment of persons deprived of their liberty.

The organisation also cited the Nelson Mandela Rules concerning healthcare for detainees and the Tokyo Rules, which promote alternatives to imprisonment and the use of pretrial detention as a measure of last resort. It further referred to Article 18 of the ICCPR, which protects freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

CAP Freedom of Conscience called on the Human Rights Council to urge the Republic of Korea to meet its international obligations by considering alternatives to detention, permitting an independent medical assessment and ensuring a fair and impartial trial.

The statement was delivered during the Human Rights Council's 63rd session in Geneva.