Zambian Civil Liberties Union

28/07/2026

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22/07/2026

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE ZAMBIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (ZCLU) ON THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF SHINCHEONJI CHURCH OF JESUS FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN LEE MAN-HEE
Delivered by Isaac Mwanza, Executive Director, Protea Hotel, Lusaka – 21 July 2026

Good morning, members of the media, distinguished guests, respected representatives of religious organisations and civil society, ladies and gentlemen.

The Zambian Civil Liberties Union (ZCLU) wishes to express its deep concern regarding the arrest and continued detention of Chairman Lee Man-hee, aged 95, Founder and Chairman of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the Republic of Korea (South Korea), following his arrest on 24th June 2026 on allegations relating to that country’s Political Parties Act.

As an organisation committed to the promotion of constitutionalism, human rights and fundamental freedoms, ZCLU regards freedom of thought, conscience and religion as among the most fundamental rights guaranteed under international law.

These freedoms are protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international human rights instruments.

While we fully recognise the sovereign right of every State to enforce its laws, and deliberately refrain from commenting on the merits of the criminal proceedings before the South Korean courts, we are concerned by reports suggesting a broader pattern of discrimination against members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

We are equally troubled by reports of efforts to stigmatise or marginalise members of that religious community and to restrict their ability to worship, associate and practise their faith freely. Freedom of religion is a universal human right that deserves protection everywhere.

ZCLU has long regarded South Korea as one of Asia’s leading democracies, respected for its commitment to constitutional governance, the rule of law and human rights. Democracies are judged not by how they treat popular or majority faiths, but by how faithfully they protect the rights of religious minorities and those whose beliefs differ from the mainstream.

We are particularly concerned by the continued labelling of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus as a “cult.” History reminds us that societies must exercise great caution whenever religious minorities are characterised in ways that dehumanise or delegitimise them. Such labels have too often preceded discrimination, persecution and grave violations of fundamental rights.

The lessons of history remain painfully relevant. Under the N**i regime, millions of Jews were exterminated, while Jehovah’s Witnesses were imprisoned, tortured and killed because of their religious convictions. Even today, religious minorities in various parts of the world continue to face persecution simply because their beliefs differ from those of the majority. These historical experiences remind us that intolerance, when left unchecked, can gradually erode the very freedoms upon which democratic societies are built.

We understand that the allegations against Chairman Lee concern encouraging members of his church to join political parties. Participation in political life is, in principle, a legitimate democratic freedom enjoyed by citizens in open societies. Whether any specific conduct contravened South Korean law is a matter for the courts to determine. Nevertheless, any criminal process must be conducted in a manner that fully respects the rights to liberty, freedom of religion, freedom of association and a fair trial.

ZCLU is also deeply concerned by Chairman Lee's continued detention. At 95 years of age, he is an elderly and reportedly physically frail individual but spiritually strong. International human rights standards recognise that detention should be a measure of last resort, particularly where less restrictive alternatives are available. Without expressing any opinion on the charges before the courts, we respectfully submit that humanitarian considerations deserve serious weight when determining whether continued detention is necessary.

More broadly, ZCLU is increasingly alarmed by the growing global trend of restrictions on freedom of religion or belief. Equally concerning is the silence of many governments and international institutions when such violations occur. Human rights cannot be defended selectively. The freedom enjoyed by one religious community must be equally available to all others, regardless of whether their beliefs are accepted by the majority.

Accordingly, ZCLU respectfully calls upon the Government of the Republic of Korea to continue demonstrating its longstanding commitment to democracy, constitutionalism and human rights by ensuring that all religious communities enjoy equal protection before the law without discrimination. We further urge the competent judicial authorities to give careful consideration to Chairman Lee’s advanced age and humanitarian circumstances, and to consider appropriate alternatives to custodial detention while legal proceedings continue.

We also call upon governments, international human rights institutions, faith leaders and civil society organisations across the world to remain vigilant in defending freedom of religion or belief. The protection of minority faiths is not a favour extended by governments; it is a legal obligation and a defining characteristic of every genuine democracy.

In closing, we make this sincere appeal to the Government and people of the Republic of Korea: let South Korea continue to stand as a beacon of democracy and human rights in Asia. Demonstrate to the world that justice can be firm without losing its humanity, and that the rule of law is strengthened - not weakened - when it protects the dignity and freedoms of every person, including those whose beliefs may be unpopular.

We respectfully urge the authorities to ensure that Chairman Lee receives fair and humane treatment, and to give compassionate consideration to his release, consistent with the interests of justice and South Korea’s proud democratic traditions.

The Zambian Civil Liberties Union will continue to stand in solidarity with all individuals and communities whose fundamental freedoms are threatened anywhere in the world, because whenever the rights of one community are diminished, the liberty of all humanity is placed at risk.

I thank you.

Signed

Isaac Mwanza
Executive Director

22/07/2026

Zambian Civil Liberties Union was on Tuesday part of the joint press briefing with religous leaders to implore the South Korean authorities to release 95-year old Chairman Lee who has been in detention for encouraging his members to join political parties

21/07/2026

Thank you The Mast. ❤🤝🏼

Release ZNBC journalist, stakeholders demand

20/07/2026

Join our Acting Executive Director this morning

19/07/2026

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
19th July, 2026

ZCLU CONDEMNS THE ARREST OF JOURNALIST AND DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Zambian Civil Liberties Union is deeply concerned by the arrest and detention of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation journalist, Mr. Macpherson Mukuka. He has been charged under Section 10 of the Cyber Crimes Act for allegedly recording a private meeting involving several individuals.

ZCLU believes that journalism is not a crime.

The work of journalists and the media to expose wrongdoing is a public service and a cornerstone of democracy. This work often requires investigative efforts and the gathering of evidence. Acts of criminality and plans to commit crime do not take place in public view. They occur behind closed doors and in private conversations.

It is through news gathering, including obtaining proof from private meetings and telephone conversations, that citizens are able to know the truth and hold those in the public service and power to account.

For this reason, we must applaud and protect, not arrest and detain, journalists and citizens who expose criminality or the planning of criminality.

In light of this, ZCLU condemns in the strongest terms the arrest and continued detention of Mr. Macpherson Mukuka. We demand his immediate and unconditional release and call for the withdrawal of all charges against him. To punish a journalist for revealing wrongdoing is to punish the public’s right to know.

This arrest confirms what ZCLU warned prior to the enactment of the Cyber Crimes Act. We stated then, and we maintain now, that several provisions of the Act were crafted to infringe on civil liberties and freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and media freedom. The use of the law against a journalist today is exactly the kind of abuse we anticipated.

This incident must also serve as a reminder to the Zambian people of the responsibility of Parliament. The passing of the Cyber Crimes Act into law without adequate safeguards was a failure by some parliamentarians to take their constitutional duty seriously. The consequences of that failure are now being felt in newsrooms and in communities across the country.

ZCLU remains resolute in its opposition to the repressive provisions of the Cyber Crimes Act.

We will continue to challenge any law or state action that seeks to silence the press and shrink civic space. An attack on one journalist is an attack on all journalists, and ultimately an attack on the right of all Zambians to access information.

Issued by:

Derick M Chekwe
Acting Executive Director

11/07/2026

ZCLU Executive Director Mwanza Isaac with H.E Han Jing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Zambia.

Chinese Embassy in Zambia

09/07/2026

The Supreme Court has ruled that babies born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship, rejecting Donald Trump's bid to end the 150-year-old policy.

In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts ruled that children born in the US "to parents unlawfully or temporarily present" are "citizens at birth" under the 14th amendment.

President Trump had sought to limit the right through an executive order, arguing that the children of undocumented immigrants and some temporary visitors were not "subject to the jurisdiction thereof", and thus not eligible for birthright citizenship.

The ruling is a major setback for Trump's immigration agenda, and has been welcomed by civil rights groups.

The US has granted citizenship to everyone born in the country since 1868, with the right enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, and bolstered by later US Supreme Court rulings.

Passed in the aftermath of the US civil war, the 14th Amendment - which was originally intended for recently freed slaves - reads that "all persons born or naturalised, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States"

"Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights - to freely participate in our political community," Justice Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. "The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to 'every free-born person in this land'," he wrote.

The ruling is a major setback for Donald Trump's immigration agenda, and has been welcomed by civil rights groups.

14/06/2026

Patriotism to Zambia