Category: Beyond the Port

WINDHOEK, Namibia – 27 August 2026 — The Southern African Leaders Coalition for Faith, Freedom and Justice (SALC-FFJ) – Namibia hosted a human rights panel discussion at the NUST Hotel School in Windhoek, placing human dignity, proportionality and the protection of vulnerable remand detainees at the centre of the conversation.

Held under the theme “Upholding Human Dignity and the Rights of Remand Detainees: A Local, Regional and International Human Rights Perspective,” the discussion examined remand or pre-trial detention from Namibian, regional and international perspectives. It highlighted the importance of ensuring that people awaiting trial are treated fairly and remain protected by the principle of presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

From the Namibian perspective, panelists considered existing systems protecting remand detainees, challenges in their implementation and opportunities to strengthen oversight. The discussion also considered appropriate alternatives to detention, particularly when dealing with vulnerable individuals. From a regional African perspective, the panel highlighted that similar remand-detention challenges exist across different countries. Participants emphasised that public awareness, responsible media coverage and civil-society advocacy can help bring attention to human-rights concerns and encourage greater accountability.

Internationally, attention was placed on proportionality and the treatment of juveniles, elderly people and other vulnerable detainees. The panel considered alternatives to custodial detention where appropriate, alongside humanitarian considerations and respect for human dignity. The psychological impact of prolonged detention was also highlighted, particularly the possibility of worsening existing mental-health challenges or contributing to additional psychological distress.

Building on these local, regional and international perspectives, the discussion then considered how these human-rights principles apply in practice. An international case involving Chairman Man Hee Lee, an elderly Korean War veteran, founder of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and religious leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was presented to the panel for consideration.

Dr. Christian Harris, a legal academic and Lecturer in Public and Procedural Law at the University of Namibia (UNAM), approached the case from the perspective of balancing the legal process with human-rights and humanitarian considerations. Without commenting on the merits of the case itself, he highlighted Chairman Lee’s advanced age and stressed that human dignity and proportionality should remain important considerations in determining appropriate legal measures.

The discussion also considered whether alternative forms of custody could adequately serve the interests of justice while protecting the dignity and well-being of elderly and vulnerable detainees. Dr. Armas Shikongo, a psychology academic at the University of Namibia (UNAM), stressed the importance of first establishing the facts and seeking the truth before reaching conclusions or deciding what position to support.

In this way, the international case provided a practical point of reflection on the broader issues raised throughout the Namibia panel discussion — particularly presumption of innocence, proportionality, vulnerability and human dignity. The dialogue ultimately reinforced one central message: upholding the rule of law and protecting human dignity should not be competing objectives. Justice should pursue accountability while ensuring that the rights and humanity of every individual are respected.

CAPE TOWN, 22 August 2026 — On the United Nations’ International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the Southern African Leaders Coalition for Faith, Freedom and Justice (SALC-FFJ) has raised concerns over the continued pre-trial detention of 95-year-old religious leader, war veteran and peace activist Chairman Man Hee Lee.

The Coalition held a press conference in Cape Town today, one day after Chairman Lee’s bail hearing in the Republic of Korea. The outcome of the hearing remains pending.
Chairman Lee has been in pre-trial detention since 24 June 2026. He has not been convicted and the presumption of innocence remains intact. SALC-FFJ has raised concerns about his continued detention in light of his age, reported health concerns and cooperation with the judicial process. The Coalition deliberately convened on the UN-designated day to examine what religious freedom, human dignity and fair trial rights mean when a religious leader remains in detention while awaiting trial.

Chris Nissen, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, drew on South Africa’s own history of detention without trial and the protections provided by human rights law. Referencing the Nelson Mandela Rules, Nissen emphasised that the dignity of people deprived of liberty must remain protected, including those awaiting trial.

“A society is determined by how they look at the most vulnerable and how you treat them.”
Nissen also called for solidarity with those whose conscience or religious convictions may place them at risk. “Let no religious person, for the sake of standing up for the truth, standing for justice and righteousness, ever be detained or be charged for their conscience.”

He concluded with a direct call for Chairman Lee’s release: “We’ll use whatever influence, wherever we find influence, we’ll use that influence to say, release, release [him] now.”

For Pastor Nceba Mkatsane of the Church of Christ, the issue extends beyond any single denomination. “When a religious leader is treated unjustly, the body of faith across traditions is wounded. We cannot remain silent.” Mkatsane expressed concern over Chairman Lee’s continued detention, particularly given his age and reported health concerns, and said alternatives to detention should have been considered.

He also challenged journalists to play their part in ensuring the issue receives appropriate attention: “Your voices carry the power to prevent silence from becoming indifference.”

Former Cape Times editor and former group editor-in-chief of Independent Media Aziz Hartley placed the discussion within South Africa’s history of press freedom and political detention. “In any contestation, there are three views: yours, mine, and the truth. Where is it that the media stands?”

Hartley argued that South African journalists have a particular responsibility to scrutinise power and give space to voices that may otherwise be unheard. “Our own history is a mirror for us when it comes to defending the people’s rights.”

SALC-FFJ co-founder and Established Africa Managing Editor Magdalene Govender said South Africa’s experience of receiving international solidarity during the struggle against apartheid creates a responsibility to speak up when fundamental rights are at stake elsewhere. “If we had external voices helping us to have this type of liberation, then it is our moral right and responsibility to speak up for others as well. Right now, South Korea needs those voices.”

More than 220 organisations and leaders across the region have endorsed the Coalition’s joint statement calling for proportionality, fair trial guarantees and the protection of religious liberty. SALC-FFJ said its position is not based on denomination or political affiliation, but on the principle that human rights and dignity must apply to everyone, regardless of nationality, age or faith.

As the world commemorates victims of violence based on religion or belief, the Coalition is calling for continued attention to religious freedom, the presumption of innocence, fair trial rights, proportionality and human dignity.

7 AUGUST 2026 — Ahead of International Youth Day on 12 August, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), affiliated with Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), partnered with Moses Van Der Byl Primary School to implement the Peace My Namibia: A Bowl of Peace, a Patch of Garden initiative.

Held on Friday, 7 August 2026, the initiative brought together learners, educators, and volunteers to establish a vegetable garden designed to support the school’s feeding programme and provide practical life skills training for learners.

The project addressed inconsistent access to food by establishing a school-managed garden. Participants prepared garden beds, planted seedlings, and engaged in activities focused on cooperation, responsibility, and environmental care.

Teacher Mr Simeon Kamati stated, “Most of our learners come from home with empty stomachs, but with this garden, we can ensure they are fed and ready to concentrate in class. It directly aligns with Namibia’s national vision for food security—whenever government supplies lag, this garden directly sustains our children’s minds and learning.”.

One participating student, Haihwema Twapewoshali, said, “Through this garden, we didn’t just learn how to care for plants—we learned responsibility and the joy of working together with our friends to help each other. I hope our vegetables keep growing, and that our garden becomes even bigger in the years to come.”

The initiative is part of IPYG’s global Peace My City campaign, which involves youth in addressing local community challenges through volunteer action. The project highlighted youth participation in community development ahead of International Youth Day on 12 August.

Meanwhile, HWPL carries out various initiatives aimed at ceasing war and achieving world peace through peace education, interfaith harmony, advocacy for international peace law, and the establishment of youth, women, and media networks. As of September 2025, HWPL’s global membership exceeded 580,000, and updates on HWPL’s peace initiatives and campaigns are available through membership registration on the official website.

18 AUGUST 2026 — Approximately 3,000 Christian leaders from around the world, including pastors from Southern Africa, joined the Joint Assembly of World Pastors on 13 August to raise concerns about religious freedom, human rights and due process following the detention of 95-year-old religious leader and war veteran Chairman Man Hee Lee in South Korea.

The international assembly brought together pastors through online and in-person participation from countries including Zambia, Rwanda, Russia and others. Religious leaders examined concerns surrounding religious freedom and the separation of church and state in South Korea, as well as the principle that judicial proceedings should be determined by evidence and due process rather than public opinion.

The gathering concluded with a joint statement calling for the protection of religious freedom, respect for the presumption of innocence and an end to trials influenced by public opinion. The statement also called for consideration of bail for Chairman Lee in light of his advanced age and circumstances.

Two days later, on 15 August, pastors in Cape Town continued that call at an International Pastors Conference, where 23 pastors signed a petition supporting religious freedom, fair-trial rights and consideration of Chairman Lee’s circumstances. The Cape Town gathering provided an opportunity for South African religious leaders to reflect on the wider implications of the issues raised internationally and the responsibility of the church to protect human dignity and freedom of religion or belief.

The local gathering also highlighted how questions of religious freedom and justice can extend beyond national and denominational boundaries, with pastors considering their responsibility to speak on issues affecting human dignity and fundamental rights.

Pastor Aime Enyeka, said the age of Chairman Lee was an important consideration when discussing his detention and the wider question of human rights.

“That is not fair, it’s not right. I think that is against human rights. What happened to Mandela in those times, is starting to happen now in South Korea,” said Pastor Enyeka.

The reference to South Africa’s own history brought a local dimension to the discussion, with the pastor emphasising that the treatment of elderly people in detention should remain a human-rights concern regardless of where it occurs.

For Anetta Barnes Mangxaba, Chairperson of the Association of Independent Publishers, the discussion highlighted the responsibility of religious leaders to recognise that questions of religious freedom can have implications beyond national borders.

“This is not a country issue, it’s a global issue,” said Mangxaba.

She also emphasised the importance of pastors understanding the legal and constitutional frameworks of the countries in which they serve saying, “Pastors need to empower themselves. We need to know the laws of the country, it’s to know the Constitution, it’s to know the acts and how to apply that and how to empower the ones that we lead as pastors.”

For Pastor Philip Bahama, the gathering demonstrated the importance of unity among Christians across different churches and backgrounds.

“The thing that I have learned from today’s gathering was that as the church we need to stand, because when we stand together, there is power,” Pastor Bahama said. All of us, as the leaders, pastors, we need to know our rights and we need to defend our rights. We need to speak the same language and we need to be together to fight injustice.”

The participation forms part of the wider international response by Christian leaders who say that questions of religious freedom, human dignity and due process should be addressed beyond national and denominational boundaries. The Cape Town gathering reinforced the call for religious leaders to stand together in defence of justice, truth and the fundamental rights of all people.

On the 13th, seven religious organizations — including the Council for Christian Mutual Growth, the Korea Christian Leaders Training Institute, the Pastors Alliance for Life and Human Rights, the Russian Evangelical Alliance, and the Thai Evangelical Alliance Association — held the “1st Joint Assembly of World Pastors” and sharply criticized the violations of religious freedom and the undermining of the principle of separation of church and state now taking place in the Republic of Korea. Some 3,000 pastors from major countries around the world attended online and offline.

At this assembly, not only Korean presenters but also overseas pastors from countries such as Russia and Zambia took the podium themselves, examining from an international perspective the reality of religious freedom under threat beyond any single denomination or nation. The presenters spoke with one voice: “What is happening in the Republic of Korea today is not the problem of one denomination or one country.”

The first presenter, Rev. Im Young-woong, senior pastor of Saehimang (New Hope) Church of the Presbyterian Church of Korea, raised the dangers of the debate over dissolving religious corporations in an international context. Rev. Im Young-woong asked, “If the state can dissolve a single religious organization, exactly how far should that standard reach — and who can guarantee that the standard created today will not be applied to another church tomorrow?”

Citing the case in which the Tokyo District Court issued a dissolution order in March 2025 against the former Unification Church (the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) and the Supreme Court of Japan finalized it in June 2026, he explained, “What was dissolved in Japan was not the faith itself but its legal status as a religious corporation; yet the practical impact on the religious community — loss of tax benefits, liquidation of assets and more — is by no means small.”

Rev. Im Young-woong then pointed to Article 38 of Korea’s Civil Act, which allows a corporation’s establishment permit to be revoked for “acts that harm the public interest,” calling it the core problem: “Who decides what harms the public interest, and by what standard?” Citing the 2020 case in which, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seoul Metropolitan Government revoked the establishment permit of an incorporated association linked to Shincheonji and also began revocation proceedings against HWPL, as well as the December 2025 case in which the President, referring to Japan’s Unification Church dissolution at a Cabinet meeting, ordered a review of the possibility of dissolving domestic religious organizations, he warned that “our concerns are becoming reality.”

Rev. Im Young-woong stressed, “If there are allegations, they must be investigated, and if a crime is proven, one must be held accountable. But investigating an individual’s criminal allegations and making an entire religious community of hundreds of thousands of members a target for survival-or-dissolution are matters on entirely different levels,” adding, “The most dangerous thing is that it is not objective criminal facts but ‘social unpopularity’ that operates as grounds for dissolution. If we tolerate this logic today because it targets a religion we dislike, there is no guarantee the same logic will not be applied to our own church tomorrow.” He further invoked Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): “Religious freedom must not vary according to whether a religion is old or new, a majority or a minority, or socially popular or condemned.”

Rev. Vitaly Kirillovich Vlasenko, General Secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, presented on the theme “Public opinion cannot be a verdict.” He said, “Is it truly just that the legal standard applied to a religion and its leader should change simply because that religion has become an object of social hatred?” and, “The fact that hundreds of thousands condemn someone and that countless media reports follow cannot justify declaring a person guilty before the court has even handed down its judgment.”

General Secretary Vlasenko stressed, “The stronger the social pressure, the more fair and neutral the trial must be; and the stronger the religious hostility, the more strictly the state must supervise whether the law and due process are being observed.” Referring to the situation in 2020 when Shincheonji was linked to the spread of COVID-19 in Daegu and a national petition demanding its forced dissolution surpassed 500,000 signatures within two days and later exceeded one million, he said, “An atmosphere formed as if society had already handed down its verdict before the court had even held a trial.”

He continued, “Yet the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea ultimately acquitted Chairman Lee Man-hee of the charge of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, while upholding guilty verdicts on some other charges,” and, “A court is not an institution that judges a person wholesale as a ‘good person’ or a ‘bad person’; it is a place that examines the evidence for each specific charge and distinguishes guilt from innocence. Herein lies the essential difference between public opinion and judicial judgment.” Turning to the current situation in which Chairman Lee Man-hee has again been detained on charges of violating the Political Parties Act, he urged, “Whether or not one agrees with the doctrine, the legal standard must be applied equally to everyone.”

Bishop Elias Elijah Changa, founder and president of the Zambia-based Missionary Ambassadors for Global Evangelism (MAGE) in Lusaka, raised the questions of due process and human dignity based on his prison-ministry experience. He opened, “The administration of justice and the protection of human dignity must go together.”

Rev. Changa said, “Acknowledging that Chairman Lee Man-hee has long worked for peace-building and interfaith dialogue through HWPL’s international activities means neither innocence nor exemption from the law,” but added, “The judgment concerning him must be made by the courts on the basis of law and evidence alone, and disagreement over his beliefs must not determine how he is treated.”

In particular, through his prison ministry he said he had confirmed that “detention causes especially serious and harsh hardship for the elderly,” and asked, “Age gives no one the right to stand above the law, but to protect life and humanity, I ask the competent authorities to carefully consider lawful alternatives such as bail, residence restriction, or medical accommodation.” He stated, “We are not demanding that Chairman Lee Man-hee receive special treatment because he is a religious leader; we are asking that the fairness, dignity, and universal rights owed to everyone be extended equally to him.”

The assembly closed with the announcement of a “Joint Statement” adopted with the signatures of Christian leaders from around the world. The statement set out demands that:

• The government and political circles immediately cease using specific religions, including Shincheonji, as tools of political strife and suppression in violation of the principle of separation of church and state, and fully guarantee universal religious freedom;
• the judiciary halt trials by public opinion and witch hunts and uphold the presumption of innocence for the very elderly religious leader; and
• the court grant the bail request of the very elderly leader, whose life is under threat, and release him immediately.

The organizers stated, “The cases presented here are not the problem of one denomination alone but a grave warning signal spanning religious freedom in the Republic of Korea as a whole,” and, “Until the government and judicial authorities return to fair justice and the principle of separation of church and state, we will continue our response in solidarity with international human-rights organizations and the churches of the world.”

Cape Town, South Africa — Beneath the winter sun in Bonteheuwel, a simple plaque was unveiled, but it represented something far greater than stone and metal. It stands as a lasting tribute to years of unwavering commitment by the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Peace Committee, and community partners who have transformed a once-neglected space into a living symbol of hope, healing, and peace.

The special ceremony welcomed the IWPG Global Region 6 leadership delegation from South Korea alongside local community leaders, residents, faith representatives, and the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies. The programme began with a Peace Committee meeting before guests gathered at the Peace Garden for a morning filled with reflection, celebration, and shared purpose.

The event opened with a warm welcome from Soraya Salie, founder of the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies, followed by interfaith prayers led by Christian and Muslim faith representatives, reflecting the community’s commitment to peace across cultures and religions. Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe joined the celebration and commended the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies for their unwavering dedication to serving their community through peacebuilding, environmental stewardship and creating safe spaces where residents can come together. He praised the initiative as a shining example of how local leadership and ordinary citizens can build a more peaceful society.

Representatives from IWPG shared words of encouragement before the official unveiling of the commemorative plaque by the IWPG Global Region 6 delegation and the IWPG Peace Committee. The unveiling marked a significant milestone in recognising years of grassroots peacebuilding led by the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies and their collaboration with IWPG.

Throughout the morning, many laughs and tears were exchanged as residents reflected on years of perseverance, shared stories of hardship, remembered loved ones, and celebrated the transformation that the Peace Garden has brought to the community. Visitors witnessed not only a beautiful garden, but a space that has become a sanctuary for healing, dialogue, learning and reconciliation. Guiding guests through the Peace Garden, Soraya Salie shared the vision that continues to inspire the project, “I want this garden to become a mini Kirstenbosch, so that many young people may learn and grow through this garden.”

Her vision reflects the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies’ commitment to nurturing both the environment and the next generation. More than a place of beauty, the Peace Garden has become a living classroom where children, families and neighbours come together to learn about food security, environmental responsibility, community service and peaceful coexistence.

Following the tour, So Young Park, Director of IWPG Global Region 6, reflected on the significance of seeing the project firsthand, “We always knew of the work done by the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies and the collaboration of IWPG. However, today we got to see the depth of the work of peace happening in Cape Town through them and the impact of the work.”

Her remarks highlighted one of IWPG’s core principles, that lasting peace is not only achieved through international dialogue, but through communities choosing every day to care for one another, restore dignity and create environments where peace can flourish. IWPG Southern Africa Branch Manager Faith Van Wyk praised the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies for demonstrating what community-led peacebuilding looks like in practice, “I will take this example of the work and share with the people of Johannesburg what the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies are doing in Cape Town.”

Her words reflected IWPG’s vision of sharing successful peace initiatives across communities, ensuring that inspiring local models can encourage similar efforts throughout Southern Africa. The morning concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks before the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies celebrated the occasion through song and dance, bringing smiles to guests from South Africa and South Korea alike. Volunteers then worked together to carefully clean and restore the garden, demonstrating that service to the community continues long after ceremonies have ended.

The unveiling of the plaque represents far more than the recognition of a garden. It celebrates years of women quietly choosing peace over division, compassion over conflict and action over despair. It honours a partnership between local residents and IWPG that continues to prove that sustainable peace begins in neighbourhoods, through everyday acts of kindness, shared responsibility and collective hope.

As flowers continue to bloom within the Peace Garden, the newly unveiled plaque will serve as a permanent reminder that peace is not merely spoken about, it is planted, nurtured and lived. In Bonteheuwel, the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies have shown that when communities come together with purpose, even the smallest seeds can grow into lasting symbols of peace for generations to come.

Concerns Raised at European Academy of Religion’s International Conference Held in Rome—Strong Appeals Over Violation of International Law

European scholars of religion are making strong appeals to the South Korean government to release Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old Chairman of Shincheonji Church, who remains in detention.

Chairman Lee was detained on 24 June on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act and was indicted on 29 June. The Joint Police–Prosecution Investigation Headquarters alleges that, between July 2021 and January 2024, he directed the mass registration of approximately 50,000 church members into a particular political party.

In response, Shincheonji Church stated that individual members freely participated in political activities and that both Chairman Lee and the church have faithfully cooperated throughout the entire investigation process, including the searches and seizures. The church also expressed deep regret, stating that detaining Chairman Lee, an elderly man aged 95, amounts in effect to a form of physical punishment.

The European Academy of Religion (EuARe), a non-profit academic network connecting scholars and institutions of religious studies across Europe, held its Ninth Annual Conference in Rome, Italy, on 3 July, where the circumstances surrounding Shincheonji Church were addressed. During the session titled “Shincheonji, a Korean New Religion in Global Context,” European scholars of religion presented their respective academic papers on Shincheonji Church. The recent situation in South Korea, including the detention of Chairman Lee, was also shared with participants.

At the conference, Dr. Massimo Introvigne, a sociologist of religion and the Founder and Managing Director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), commented on the detention of Chairman Lee as follows:

“In all European Union countries, legislation mandates that, those older than 80, only exceptionally, should be put in jail; they should be under house arrest if needed, and only for violent crimes, if there is a risk of actual violence connected with blood crimes. Here, of course, there are no blood crimes, and the accusations are violations of electoral law.”

“And what Korea is doing to this elderly religious leader is in violation of international law, including the United Nations’ so-called Mandela Rules, which mandate that preliminary detention should be, in general, not the rule, and only in an extremely limited number of exceptional cases may be applied to elderly prisoners. So what is happening is an unmitigated scandal, which hides a political and religious vendetta.”

Eric Roux, an interfaith advocate and President of the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (EIFRF), who also participated in the session, reiterated the injustice of detaining an elderly person.

“A man of 95 years old being put in jail is not something that you can reconcile with the objective of respecting human dignity. Even if what you pretend he has done is true, you would not put a man of this age in prison as is the case now. So I would suggest that this be reviewed very fast to avoid something that would be very detrimental to the reputation of South Korea, which is please, get that man out of jail and do it now.”

Human rights lawyer Alessandro Amicarelli expressed concern, citing South Korea’s democratic tradition. He is a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, a barrister in Italy, and Chairman of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB).

“As a human rights lawyer, I always considered South Korea a true democracy where human rights are upheld like a foundation of the democracy. Unfortunately, what’s happening now is truly shocking. … We cannot accept that a religious leader in a democratic country, at the age of 95, has to be under this kind of pressure.”

“What we’re seeing right now, … it looks like South Korea is departing from its own Constitution, its own human rights foundation. For this reason, I’m very happy to support Shincheonji in your fight against abuse and persecution in South Korea and anywhere in the world.”

Shincheonji Church emphasized that the detention of Chairman Lee has gone beyond academic interest and is now being raised as an international human rights issue.

The international human rights organizations United for Human Rights and Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP-LC; Coordination of Associations and Individuals for Freedom of Conscience) submitted a joint written statement on the human rights issues faced by Shincheonji Church to the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 25 May (Document No. A/HRC/62/NGO/236; circulated on 10 June). In the statement, the two organizations assessed that “the situation has intensified” in South Korea and noted that framing members’ registration with a political party as evidence of “religion–politics collusion” is inconsistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees every citizen the right to participate in political life.

The two organizations further stated: “In December 2025, the President ordered the creation of a joint police–prosecutor task force explicitly targeting Shincheonji… Senior officials have publicly referred to Shincheonji as a ‘criminal organization,’ statements incompatible with the presumption of innocence.” They also added, “We [urge] the Government of the Republic of Korea to reaffirm its commitment to freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and state neutrality.”

Shincheonji Church noted that “As support and petitions from prominent figures in the international community continue to grow regarding the detention of Chairman Lee Man-hee, pressure on the South Korean government and the judiciary is also mounting.” It further said, “The prompt release of Chairman Lee is a matter of safeguarding freedom of religion and human rights, which are core values of democracy.”