{
  "id": 10729511,
  "title": "The case of Chairman Lee Man-hee raised before the UNHCR",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/the-case-of-chairman-lee-man-hee-raised-before-the-unhcr",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T16:24:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/the-case-of-chairman-lee-man-hee-raised-before-the-unhcr/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Freedom of Conscience has brought up the case of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR). The elderly war veteran is currently being held in pretrial detention at the Seoul Detention Center in South Korea. During a presentation at the UNHCR's general debate on September 18, 2026, the organization expressed deep concern over what it described as a politically motivated and discriminatory investigation targeting a religious minority, along with the substandard conditions of detention.\n\nDespite having a fixed residence and no flight risk, the group claims that Chairman Lee has been confined to cells without air conditioning during Seoul's hottest heatwave, raising serious health risks for the 95-year-old detainee. The statement emphasizes that such treatment contravenes the Republic of Korea's international obligations, including Article 9 of the ICCPR which requires detention to be necessary and proportionate, Article 10 which guarantees humane treatment, the Nelson Mandela Rules which entitle detainees to healthcare equivalent to that available in the community, and the Tokyo Rules which make pretrial detention a measure of last resort.\n\nMoreover, CAP Freedom of Conscience argues that Article 18 of the ICCPR, which protects freedom of religion or belief, appears to be disregarded in this case. The organization has urged the UNHCR to urge the Republic of Korea to honor its treaty obligations by providing alternatives to detention, permitting an independent medical assessment, and ensuring a fair and impartial trial.",
  "summary": "CAP Freedom of Conscience has raised the case for the founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Chairman Lee Man-hee at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR). The organisation said the 95-year old a veteran of the Korean War has been detained on non-violent charges and is in pretrial detention at the […] The post The case of Chairman Lee Man-hee raised before the UNHCR…",
  "key_points": [
    "Chairman Lee Man-hee, 95, founder of Shincheonji Church, detained in South Korea.",
    "UNHCR raises concerns over politically motivated investigation and detention conditions.",
    "Article 9, 10, 18 of ICCPR allegedly violated; UNHCR urges Korea to honor treaty obligations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}