Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), alongside CAP Liberté de Conscience, FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, convened a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club to address growing concerns over freedom of religion and expression in South Korea. The event highlighted the pretrial detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee and 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation, questioning the proportionality and humanitarian aspects of these measures.
The organizations argue that the detention of elderly religious leaders, particularly in non-violent cases, contradicts South Korea's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture. Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, emphasized that the presumption of innocence must prevail, citing precedents like Cardinal Joseph Zen's release on bail in Hong Kong and Vietnam's house arrest of Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do as more humane alternatives.
Michael Langhans of FOREF Germany presented a legal analysis questioning the necessity of pretrial detention when sufficient evidence exists for indictment, and whether the evidence was gathered neutrally or through a narrative framing the defendant's community as a "sect" or "cult." He argued that the case raises broader questions about balancing electoral integrity with religious freedom.
The conference also addressed other religious freedom issues, including continued harassment of Segero Church in Busan, punitive implementation of alternative civilian service for conscientious objectors, and public hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu. Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, warned that stigmatizing religious communities and restricting peaceful gatherings "extend far beyond any single group or case," stressing that fundamental rights apply equally to all.
Márk Nemes of CESNUR noted that Shincheonji is a global movement, and its persecution in South Korea affects congregants abroad, whose rights under ICCPR Articles 18 and 19 are inalienable. Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR, said South Korea "has crossed a worrying line" by arresting Chairman Lee, arguing that international standards like the Mandela Rules would favor house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offence.
The organizations called on South Korean authorities, the media, and the international community to examine these developments with attention to due process and proportionality. At the conclusion, scholars signed an official letter urging the government to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody. The full proceedings are available on HRWF's YouTube channel, and additional articles can be found here.
