WAOHR-INDIA Raises Serious Questions on Human Rights, Human Dignity, Fair Trial and the Necessity and Proportionality of Pre-Trial Detention
International Concern Over the Detention of a 95-Year-Old Religious Leader in South Korea
WAOHR-INDIA Raises Serious Questions on Human Rights, Human Dignity, Fair Trial and the Necessity and Proportionality of Pre-Trial Detention
“No one is above the law, but no one is beneath the protection of human dignity under the law.”
— Dr. K. N. Mahadev, State Spiritual Director–Karnataka, WAOHR-INDIA
New Delhi, August 11, 2026: Reported by-(PUSHPA-SHIMOGA-INDIA)-
The detention of Lee Man-hee, a 95-year-old religious leader in South Korea, has triggered international discussion concerning human rights, religious freedom, fair judicial process, and the necessity and proportionality of continued pre-trial detention of an exceptionally elderly person.
According to available reports, Lee Man-hee faces allegations concerning the alleged mobilization of thousands of followers to join a political party with the intention of influencing the political process. A South Korean court reportedly issued an arrest warrant, citing, among other considerations, concerns regarding the possible destruction of evidence. The religious organization has denied the allegations and maintains that Lee cooperated with investigators and that there was no genuine risk of flight or destruction of evidence.
WAOHR-INDIA: What Is the Real Legal Question?
World Accreditation of Human Rights (WAOHR-INDIA), through its State Spiritual Director–Karnataka, Dr. K. N. Mahadev, states that the legal question is not merely:
“Was there a provision under domestic law permitting the arrest?”
The broader question under international human rights law is:
“Is the continued pre-trial detention of this particular 95-year-old individual genuinely necessary, reasonable, individually justified and proportionate?”
This distinction is important when assessing the difference between lawful detention and arbitrary detention.
ICCPR Article 9 — Protection Against Arbitrary Arrest and Detention
South Korea is a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 9 protects every person against arbitrary arrest and detention and provides that detention pending trial should not be the general rule. It also recognizes the right to challenge the lawfulness of detention before a court.
The UN Human Rights Committee, in General Comment No. 35, has emphasized that pre-trial detention must be based on an individualized assessment and must be reasonable and necessary. Courts should also consider whether the legitimate objectives of detention can be achieved through less restrictive alternatives.
Accordingly, WAOHR-INDIA asks:
Are there concrete, current and individualized grounds establishing a genuine risk of destruction of evidence, and could that risk be adequately addressed through less restrictive judicial measures?
Age 95 — Not Automatic Immunity, but a Significant Humanitarian Consideration
WAOHR-INDIA makes it clear that being 95 years old does not, by itself, provide legal immunity from arrest or judicial detention.
However, such advanced age cannot simply be disregarded when determining whether continued detention is necessary and proportionate.
Where an accused person’s age, medical condition, mobility or ongoing medical requirements create particular risks, those circumstances should receive careful and independent consideration.
Therefore, WAOHR-INDIA’s position is clear:
“Age does not make arrest impossible, but age and health cannot be ignored when determining whether continued detention is justified.”
Pre-Trial Detention Must Not Become Punishment
An allegation and a judicial finding of guilt are two fundamentally different legal stages.
International human rights standards emphasize that pre-trial detention must not be used as a substitute for punishment. The UN Human Rights Committee has stressed the importance of an individualized determination and consideration of alternatives to detention.
Accordingly, WAOHR-INDIA believes that:
Where the legitimate interests of the prosecution can be adequately protected through bail, reporting requirements, travel restrictions, house restrictions or other judicial conditions, such alternatives should receive serious consideration.
ICCPR Article 10 — Human Dignity Must Be Protected in Detention
Article 10 of the ICCPR requires that every person deprived of liberty be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
Accordingly, WAOHR-INDIA urges the South Korean authorities to ensure that the 95-year-old detainee has access to:
- regular and independent medical assessments;
- necessary medicines and medical care;
- adequate and age-appropriate nutrition;
- safe and age-appropriate detention conditions;
- reasonable contact with family;
- effective and confidential access to legal counsel; and
- humane and dignified treatment at all times.
Religious Freedom and Alleged Political Offences Must Be Examined Separately
The matter is particularly sensitive because the accused is the leader of a religious organization and the allegations concern the alleged political activities of its followers.
Article 18 of the ICCPR protects freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Therefore, a person’s religious identity or association with a religious organization should not itself become a basis for discriminatory or prejudicial treatment.
At the same time, religious status cannot place any individual or organization above the law.
If the prosecution establishes through credible and admissible evidence that a religious organization or its leadership was involved in unlawful political coercion, fraudulent conduct, forced political enrollment or violations of electoral law, such allegations are legitimately subject to independent investigation and judicial determination.
The proper human-rights approach is therefore clear: religious identity must neither be treated as evidence of criminality nor as a basis for immunity from the law.
WAOHR-INDIA’s Nine-Point Human Rights Appeal
World Accreditation of Human Rights (WAOHR-INDIA) respectfully urges the competent judicial and administrative authorities of South Korea to:
1. Conduct an immediate and effective judicial review of the continued detention of 95-year-old Lee Man-hee.
2. Examine every ground for detention—including the alleged risk of destruction of evidence—on the basis of concrete, current and individualized evidence.
3. Give serious consideration to bail or other less restrictive judicial conditions where they can adequately safeguard the legitimate interests of the prosecution.
4. Ensure an independent medical assessment of the accused’s age-related and health-related needs.
5. Ensure that pre-trial detention does not, under any circumstances, become punishment before conviction.
6. Determine any alleged personal criminal responsibility of the accused through direct and legally admissible evidence, rather than treating association with a religious organization as evidence of criminal liability in itself.
7. Maintain a clear legal distinction between religious freedom and alleged political offences.
8. Prevent collective blame, discrimination, stigmatization or prejudicial treatment of members of any religious community.
9. If detention continues, ensure full protection consistent with Article 10 of the ICCPR and applicable international standards governing humane treatment in detention.
Message from Dr. K. N. Mahadev
“WAOHR-INDIA is not asking for any accused person to be placed above the law. Our only demand is that the law itself must operate within the boundaries of human rights. The allegations against a 95-year-old individual should be investigated fairly and adjudicated through due process. However, detention before conviction must continuously be tested against the principles of legality, necessity, individualized assessment and proportionality. Where the objectives of justice can be achieved through less restrictive measures, those alternatives should not be ignored.”
— Dr. K. N. Mahadev
State Spiritual Director–Karnataka
World Accreditation of Human Rights (WAOHR-INDIA)
WAOHR-INDIA’s Clear Position
WAOHR-INDIA makes it clear that its position is not in support of or opposition to any political party, religious organization or accused individual.
Its position is solely in support of the universal principles of:
Rule of Law + Due Process + Human Dignity + Religious Freedom = Genuine Human Rights
South Korea’s obligations as a State Party to the ICCPR make Articles 9, 10 and 18 important international legal standards in considering this matter. In particular, UN human rights standards emphasize that pre-trial detention should be exceptional, necessary, proportionate and limited to what is required by the circumstances.
AIRA NEWS NETWORK
International Human Rights Special Report
New Delhi | August 11, 2026
Editorial and Legal Note: This report presents the allegations as allegations and does not treat them as established facts or a final finding of guilt. WAOHR-INDIA’s position is not to declare the accused innocent, but to call for due process, effective judicial review, humane treatment and protection of human dignity in accordance with applicable international human rights standards.
