On the United Nations’ International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the Southern African Leaders Coalition for Faith, Freedom and Justice
(SALC-FFJ) has raised concerns over the continued pre-trial detention of 95-year-old religious leader, war
veteran and peace activist Chairman Man Hee Lee.
The Coalition held a press conference in Cape Town today, one day after Chairman Lee’s bail hearing in the
Republic of Korea. The outcome of the hearing remains pending.
Chairman Lee has been in pre-trial detention since 24 June 2026. He has not been convicted and the
presumption of innocence remains intact. SALC-FFJ has raised concerns about his continued detention in light of
his age, reported health concerns and cooperation with the judicial process.
The Coalition deliberately convened on the UN-designated day to examine what religious freedom, human
dignity and fair trial rights mean when a religious leader remains in detention while awaiting trial.
Chris Nissen, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, drew on South Africa’s own history
of detention without trial and the protections provided by human rights law. Referencing the Nelson Mandela
Rules, Nissen emphasised that the dignity of people deprived of liberty must remain protected, including those
awaiting trial.
“A society is determined by how they look at the most vulnerable and how you treat them.”
Nissen also called for solidarity with those whose conscience or religious convictions may place them at risk.
“Let no religious person, for the sake of standing up for the truth, standing for justice and
righteousness, ever be detained or be charged for their conscience.”
He concluded with a direct call for Chairman Lee’s release:
“We’ll use whatever influence, wherever we find influence, we’ll use that influence to say,
release, release [him] now.”
For Pastor Nceba Mkatsane of the Church of Christ, the issue extends beyond any single denomination.
“When a religious leader is treated unjustly, the body of faith across traditions is wounded. We
cannot remain silent.”
Mkatsane expressed concern over Chairman Lee’s continued detention, particularly given his age and reported
health concerns, and said alternatives to detention should have been considered.
He also challenged journalists to play their part in ensuring the issue receives appropriate attention:
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“Your voices carry the power to prevent silence from becoming indifference.”
Former Cape Times editor and former group editor-in-chief of Independent Media Aziz Hartley placed the
discussion within South Africa’s history of press freedom and political detention.
“In any contestation, there are three views: yours, mine, and the truth. Where is it that the
media stands?”
Hartley argued that South African journalists have a particular responsibility to scrutinise power and give space
to voices that may otherwise be unheard.
“Our own history is a mirror for us when it comes to defending the people’s rights.”
SALC-FFJ co-founder and Established Africa Managing Editor Magdalene Govender said South Africa’s
experience of receiving international solidarity during the struggle against apartheid creates a responsibility to
speak up when fundamental rights are at stake elsewhere.
“If we had external voices helping us to have this type of liberation, then it is our moral right
and responsibility to speak up for others as well. Right now, South Korea needs those voices.”
More than 220 organisations and leaders across the region have endorsed the Coalition’s joint statement
calling for proportionality, fair trial guarantees and the protection of religious liberty. SALC-FFJ said its position is
not based on denomination or political affiliation, but on the principle that human rights and dignity must
apply to everyone, regardless of nationality, age or faith.
As the world commemorates victims of violence based on religion or belief, the Coalition is calling for continued
attention to religious freedom, the presumption of innocence, fair trial rights, proportionality and human
dignity.
