At the Ninth Annual Conference of the European Academy of Religion held in Rome, scholars of religion discussed the situation surrounding Shincheonji Church during a session titled Shincheonji, a Korean New Religion in Global Context, which featured academic presentations on the church and included discussion of the recent detention of its Chairman, Lee Man-hee.
Dr Massimo Introvigne, sociologist of religion and Founder and Managing Director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), says that the detention of the 95-year-old religious leader is inconsistent with international human rights standards.
According to Dr. Introvigne, European Union countries generally reserve the detention of individuals over the age of 80 for exceptional circumstances, typically involving serious violent crimes where there is a significant risk of further violence.
He noted that the allegations against Chairman Lee concern violations of electoral law rather than violent offenses.
Dr Introvigne further stated that the detention may conflict with international human rights principles, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), which encourage the limited use of pretrial detention, particularly for elderly individuals.
He described the case as "an unmitigated scandal" and suggested it reflects political and religious motivations.
Eric Roux, President of the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (EIFRF), also expressed concern over the detention.
He stated that imprisoning a 95-year-old man raises serious questions about respect for human dignity and urged South Korean authorities to review the case promptly, warning that it could negatively affect the country's international reputation.
Human rights lawyer Alessandro Amicarelli, Chairman of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB), likewise criticized the detention.
A solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and a barrister in Italy, Amicarelli says he had long regarded South Korea as a democracy with a strong commitment to human rights but described the current situation as "truly shocking.
He expressed concern that the treatment of Chairman Lee appears inconsistent with South Korea's constitutional and human rights principles and voiced support for Shincheonji's efforts to oppose what he described as religious persecution.
Shincheonji Church stated that the detention of Chairman Lee has become an international human rights issue extending beyond academic discussion.
The organizations also alleged that, in December 2025, South Korea's president ordered the creation of a joint police-prosecutor task force specifically targeting Shincheonji Church and noted that public references to the church as a "criminal organization" by senior officials undermine the presumption of innocence.
The statement called on the Government of the Republic of Korea to reaffirm its commitment to freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and state neutrality.
The church maintained that Chairman Lee's prompt release is essential to protecting religious freedom and fundamental human rights, which it described as core democratic values.
