Kenyan religious scholars urge UN to review detention of Shincheonji founder

A group of Kenyan religious leaders and scholars has appealed to the United Nations to review the detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Church of Jesus Chairman Man-Hee Lee, citing humanitarian concerns and the need to uphold religious freedom and due process.

Speaking in Nairobi, the faith leaders said they had endorsed a petition to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), urging the bodies to seek a humanitarian review of Lee's detention.

The scholars said their appeal does not challenge the judicial sovereignty of the Republic of Korea, but calls for fairness, proportionality, non-discrimination and respect for fundamental human rights throughout the legal process.

According to the group, Lee, who founded the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the peace organisation HWPL, was taken into custody on June 24, 2026, and indicted on what they described as non-violent political charges. They argued that his advanced age and reported health concerns warrant humanitarian consideration.

Rev. Dr. Joseph Maryale, who said he has worked with UNDP, UN-Habitat and UNODC, said the campaign seeks to ensure that international human rights standards and the rule of law are upheld.

"The campaign is a cry for human rights. When the law is not followed, then there is a violation of human rights," he said.

Rev. Dr. Jechoniah Wambua Musembi said every individual has the right to freedom of conscience, belief and association under international human rights standards.

Imam Abdul Haneen of Dawaah Center Adams Mosque said the appeal was aimed at ensuring judicial proceedings are conducted fairly and without prejudice.

"We are not questioning the Republic of Korea's judicial sovereignty. We are calling for the highest standards of fairness, proportionality and humanity, especially when a defendant is 95 years old," he said.

The scholars also expressed concern that public criticism of the Shincheonji Church in South Korea should not influence judicial proceedings, saying all religious communities deserve equal protection under the law.

They concluded by expressing hope that South Korea's legal process would reflect its commitment to the rule of law, religious freedom and the protection of human rights.