The treatment of elderly individuals in detention was among the human rights issues raised by European scholars and experts during an academic conference on religion held in Rome.
The discussion took place during the Ninth Annual Conference of the European Academy of Religion (EuARe), a non-profit academic network connecting scholars and institutions in the field of religious studies across Europe. The conference brought together researchers and specialists from various countries to examine contemporary issues relating to religion, society and public life through academic discussion and research.
One of the conference sessions, titled “Shincheonji, a Korean New Religion in Global Context,” focused on Shincheonji Church and its development as a religious movement. Alongside presentations examining the church from an academic perspective, speakers also discussed recent developments involving the organisation in South Korea, including the detention of its 95-year-old chairman, Lee Man-hee.
Background to the Case
Lee was detained on June 24 and indicted on June 29 on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. 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 said individual members freely participated in political activities and that both Lee and the church had cooperated throughout the investigation process, including searches and seizures.
The church also expressed concern over Lee’s detention given his age.
Against this background, participants at the Rome conference discussed the case within the broader context of the treatment of elderly individuals in detention, human dignity and international human rights standards.
Scholars Discuss Treatment of Elderly Detainees
Several scholars and human rights specialists shared their perspectives during the conference session, approaching the issue from different professional backgrounds.
Dr. Massimo Introvigne, a sociologist of religion and founder and managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), addressed the treatment of elderly individuals in detention by referring to European legal approaches and international standards concerning elderly prisoners.
Referring to European approaches to elderly detainees, Introvigne said:
“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.”
Introvigne also referred to international standards concerning detention and elderly prisoners.
“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.”
The remarks reflected Introvigne’s assessment of the case during the academic session.
Age and Human Dignity Raised During Conference Discussion
Eric Roux, an interfaith advocate and president of the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (EIFRF), also participated in the session.
Roux addressed the case from the perspective of age and human dignity, commenting on the treatment of elderly individuals in detention.
“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.”
His comments formed part of the wider discussion concerning the treatment of elderly individuals in detention and the relationship between age, dignity and legal processes.
Human Rights Lawyer Shares Perspective
The conference also heard observations from a legal and human rights perspective.
Alessandro Amicarelli, a human rights lawyer, solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, barrister in Italy and chairman of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB), shared his assessment of the case in the context of South Korea’s democratic institutions and human rights framework.
“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.”
He further commented:
“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.”
The views expressed by Introvigne, Roux and Amicarelli represent their respective assessments of the case and were shared as part of the conference discussion.
Human Rights Issues Also Raised at the United Nations
Developments involving Shincheonji Church have also been raised in international human rights forums.
United for Human Rights and the Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP-LC) submitted a joint written statement on human rights issues concerning Shincheonji Church to the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on May 25.
The statement, identified as Document No. A/HRC/62/NGO/236 and circulated on June 10, examined developments involving Shincheonji Church in South Korea.
The submission forms part of wider international discussions concerning freedom of religion or belief, due process and the treatment of religious minorities.
Conference Highlights Broader Human Rights Discussion
The discussion at the European Academy of Religion conference placed the case within a broader examination of the treatment of elderly individuals in detention, human dignity and international human rights standards.
Throughout the session, scholars of religion, interfaith advocates and human rights specialists examined Shincheonji Church as a religious movement while also discussing recent developments involving the organisation in South Korea.
Although the speakers approached the subject from different academic, legal and human rights perspectives, common themes included the treatment of elderly detainees, the protection of human dignity and the application of international human rights standards. Their comments formed part of the wider academic discussion taking place during the conference and reflected their respective professional assessments of the case.
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About CAP LC
The Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC) is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of freedom of religion or belief and other fundamental human rights. CAP LC holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), enabling it to submit written statements and participate in the work of United Nations human rights bodies. According to the organization, it has previously addressed issues relating to freedom of religion and the treatment of religious minorities in several countries.
About Shincheonji Church of Jesus
Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, is a Christian religious organization headquartered in South Korea.
Further Information
For readers seeking additional background on the United Nations submission and related developments, further information is available at SCJ TV and leemanheecaseresource.org
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