The strength of a democratic, rule-of-law society is measured not by how it treats the popular, but by how it safeguards the fundamental rights of every individual — regardless of religion, background, or public controversy.

Human dignity and due process must never depend on public opinion or social pressure. On June 24, 2026, 95-year-old Lee Man-hee, founder of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was placed in pre-trial detention in South Korea over allegations including violations of the Political Parties Act. His request for release on bail 
was denied on the grounds of a risk of destruction of evidence, despite his extreme age and fragile health.

Regardless of the underlying legal claims, this ongoing detention raises urgent international concerns regarding human rights and procedural fairness:

Proportionality of Detention: Is the continued incarceration of a 95-year-old before any final court verdict necessary, fair, or proportionate?

Health & Humanitarian Standards: Are his advanced age and severe physical risks being adequately addressed under the UN Nelson Mandela Rules, which mandate state responsibility for vulnerable 
detainees?

Presumption of Innocence & Due Process: Article 14 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Pre-trial detention must remain an exceptional measure, not a default penalty.

Protection Against Discrimination: Articles 18 and 26 of the ICCPR mandate freedom of religion and equal protection under the law. Proceedings must remain strictly impartial and protected from 
societal stigmatization.

Why International Attention Matters

Lee Man-hee experienced the devastation of the Korean War as a young man, leading him to dedicate his later years to global peace advocacy and interfaith dialogue. While his personal legacy is not the subject of this legal proceeding, the humanitarian circumstances of his detention warrant careful international attention.

Religious minorities and controversial figures often face heightened public scrutiny. It is precisely in high-profile or controversial cases that judicial systems must demonstrate their commitment to objective justice, while remaining free from political influence or public bias.

We do not seek immunity or the dismissal of lawful investigations. We call upon the competent judicial authorities of South Korea and international human rights observers to uphold the rule of law through the following actions:

1. Independent Review of Detention: Re-examine the necessity and proportionality of pre-trial detention, giving full consideration to his age (95 years) and physical condition.

2. Implementation of Less Restrictive Measures: Apply non-custodial alternatives — such as house arrest, reporting obligations, or communication restrictions — in place of prison detention.

3. Guarantees of Non-Discrimination: Ensure that the legal process is conducted with strict impartiality, completely free from religious prejudice or social pressure.

4. Humanitarian Care: Ensure uninterrupted access to proper medical attention and treatment consistent with international humanitarian standards.

5. Adherence to International Treaties: Reaffirm South Korea's commitment to the ICCPR and the universal values of human dignity and fair trial.

Stand up for universal human rights and due process! Please sign and share this petition.

For further information and updates, please visit: https://hrdpa.de/