An international human rights organisation has called on governments to ensure decisions affecting members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus are based on verifiable evidence and established legal standards rather than public perception, after submitting a statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council raising concerns about alleged discrimination against the church.
The statement was submitted by Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), an international non-government organisation with Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Shincheonji Church of Jesus announced on July 9 that CAP LC had filed the joint written statement expressing concern about what it described as growing stigma and discrimination affecting its members internationally.
The submission argues that administrative and judicial decisions involving religious minorities should be grounded in objective evidence and clear legal standards. It warns that unverified material and negative perceptions originating in South Korea could influence government decisions, court proceedings and the daily lives of church members in other countries if accepted without independent verification.
CAP LC urged governments and public authorities to ensure that any action concerning the Shincheonji Church of Jesus is based on verifiable evidence and due process rather than social stigma.
The church said the statement raises issues extending beyond its own organisation, arguing that if unsubstantiated allegations are allowed to influence official decisions affecting one religious minority, the same approach could eventually be applied to other faith groups.
CAP LC has previously addressed the United Nations on religious freedom matters, including concerns relating to the Church of Almighty God in China and legal proceedings involving the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in Japan. Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the organisation’s involvement reflects growing international attention on how the church is viewed under global human rights standards.
The submission cites developments in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries as examples of what it says are the consequences of negative perceptions extending into administrative decisions and social discrimination. It refers to the Charity Commission’s decision to reject the church’s application for charitable registration in the United Kingdom and argues that describing the organisation as a “cult” in official proceedings risks reinforcing social stigma.
It also refers to reports from Germany and neighbouring German-speaking countries, where church members have allegedly experienced workplace discrimination amid sustained negative public sentiment. CAP LC suggests media reporting and a book published by evangelical activists in 2025 contributed to those perceptions.
The church said these cases demonstrate how persistent stigma can affect employment, family relationships and participation in society, reiterating its call for authorities to rely on objective evidence rather than public opinion when making administrative or judicial decisions.
The submission also comments on developments in South Korea involving allegations related to political party membership by some Shincheonji Church members. CAP LC argues that participation in political activities should not automatically be regarded as suspicious because of an individual’s religious affiliation and called on the South Korean government to uphold religious freedom, non-discrimination and state neutrality towards religion.
The issue comes as South Korean authorities continue investigating alleged breaches of the Political Parties Act. A court issued an arrest warrant for Shincheonji chairman Lee Man-hee on June 24, citing concerns including the possible destruction of evidence. Prosecutors indicted Lee on June 29 while he remained in detention.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the legal process remains before the courts and should be assessed on objective evidence and due process rather than public sentiment or political controversy. The church has also questioned Lee’s continued detention, noting his age, his cooperation with investigators and its view that key evidence had already been secured through search and seizure procedures.
The church said the overseas cases and the South Korean investigation raise wider questions about how governments deal with religious minorities and whether legal systems apply principles of equality, due process and religious freedom consistently. It said the international attention surrounding CAP LC’s statement will be an indicator of how judicial and administrative authorities respond to such issues in the future.
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