Religious and Civic Leaders Call for Fair Judicial Procedures on Constitution Day

Religious and Civic Leaders Call for Fair Judicial Procedures on Constitution Day

On July 17, Constitution Day, religious leaders from various sectors of society gathered at a Buddhist temple in Incheon for a meeting on protecting religious freedom and the rule of law. The gathering was organized to discuss whether the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution are being applied fairly to all citizens. During the meeting, the participants issued a joint statement calling for the protection of religious freedom and fair judicial procedures in connection with the ongoing detention of Chairman Man Hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

The Republic of Korea is a nation whose Constitution guarantees religious freedom, the rule of law, and human dignity. However, from the perspective of international human rights standards, the detention of a 95-year-old religious leader and the social controversy surrounding the case have prompted many to reflect on the direction our society should take. These discussions are not intended to defend a particular religion or to substitute for the judiciary's role. Rather, they serve as an opportunity to consider whether the principles enshrined in the Constitution and the law are being applied equally to everyone, free from religious prejudice or the influence of public opinion.

During the open discussion, speakers emphasized that faith cannot be judged solely by common sense or personal knowledge. They also noted that, in light of the recent passage of legislation concerning the dissolution of religious organizations, religious freedom is a value that should be protected for all faiths, not just one. The participants also reflected on historical cases in which certain religions faced persecution. They stressed that no religion should become the target of social stigma or prejudice. Regardless of differences in religious beliefs or traditions, the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution should be equally protected for everyone.

Pastor Jang Bong-heon stated, "Chairman Man Hee Lee has devoted himself to promoting the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), Article 10, Clause 38, an initiative aimed at preventing wars caused by religion and advancing world peace. Detaining a 95-year-old religious leader—who is also a Korean War veteran—before a court has reached a verdict constitutes a violation of human rights." He also criticized Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho for quoting a Bible verse on Facebook to criticize a particular religious leader, arguing that it is not the role of government officials to judge the religious identity of a religious leader. Furthermore, he asserted that detaining an elderly religious leader on the grounds of possible destruction of evidence, despite there being no apparent risk of flight or allegations of violent crime, is inconsistent with the intent and principles of Korea's Criminal Procedure Act.

In the joint statement released that day, the participants affirmed that the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and international human rights standards recognize freedom of religion, personal liberty, and the right to a fair trial as fundamental human rights. The statement was jointly endorsed by the attending religious and civic leaders. The statement also expressed concern over the growing social stigma and discrimination based on religion. It emphasized that all citizens should receive equal protection under the law, regardless of their religious beliefs or affiliations.

While the courts will ultimately determine the outcome of the case, all citizens should be guaranteed fair judicial proceedings and due process regardless of their religion. Discrimination and hatred based on religion should be prevented, and the right to freedom of religion must be fully protected. In addition, judicial procedures should be conducted in a humane manner that gives due consideration to the health and human dignity of elderly individuals. The protection of religious freedom and human rights should be further strengthened in accordance with international human rights standards and democratic principles.

Constitution Day is an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. It is my hope that this discussion, beyond any particular religion, will serve as an occasion for our society to examine how faithfully we uphold the constitutional values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

Reference : https://reurl.cc/QN7NR9