Free him now’: Global scholars rally behind Shincheonji founder

A group of European scholars and human rights advocates has called on the TV South Korean government to release Shincheonji founder Lee Man-hee from pre-trial detention, arguing that holding the 95-year-old religious leader in custody raises humanitarian and human rights concerns. The appeal came at a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club, organised by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) alongside several European organisations focused on freedom of religion and belief. The event centred on what organisers described as concerns over freedom of religion, due process and the treatment of elderly religious leaders facing criminal proceedings. Five European academics…