On the United Nations\u2019 International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the Southern African Leaders Coalition for Faith, Freedom and Justice
\n(SALC-FFJ) has raised concerns over the continued pre-trial detention of 95-year-old religious leader, war
\nveteran and peace activist Chairman Man Hee Lee.
\nThe Coalition held a press conference in Cape Town today, one day after Chairman Lee\u2019s bail hearing in the
\nRepublic of Korea. The outcome of the hearing remains pending.
\nChairman Lee has been in pre-trial detention since 24 June 2026. He has not been convicted and the
\npresumption of innocence remains intact. SALC-FFJ has raised concerns about his continued detention in light of
\nhis age, reported health concerns and cooperation with the judicial process.
\nThe Coalition deliberately convened on the UN-designated day to examine what religious freedom, human
\ndignity and fair trial rights mean when a religious leader remains in detention while awaiting trial.
\nChris Nissen, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, drew on South Africa\u2019s own history
\nof detention without trial and the protections provided by human rights law. Referencing the Nelson Mandela
\nRules, Nissen emphasised that the dignity of people deprived of liberty must remain protected, including those
\nawaiting trial.
\n\u201cA society is determined by how they look at the most vulnerable and how you treat them.\u201d
\nNissen also called for solidarity with those whose conscience or religious convictions may place them at risk.
\n\u201cLet no religious person, for the sake of standing up for the truth, standing for justice and
\nrighteousness, ever be detained or be charged for their conscience.\u201d
\nHe concluded with a direct call for Chairman Lee\u2019s release:
\n\u201cWe’ll use whatever influence, wherever we find influence, we’ll use that influence to say,
\nrelease, release [him] now.\u201d
\nFor Pastor Nceba Mkatsane of the Church of Christ, the issue extends beyond any single denomination.
\n\u201cWhen a religious leader is treated unjustly, the body of faith across traditions is wounded. We
\ncannot remain silent.\u201d
\nMkatsane expressed concern over Chairman Lee\u2019s continued detention, particularly given his age and reported
\nhealth concerns, and said alternatives to detention should have been considered.
\nHe also challenged journalists to play their part in ensuring the issue receives appropriate attention:<\/p>\n
admin@faithfreedomjustice.org | +27 61 021 2147 | Southern Africa<\/p>\n
\u201cYour voices carry the power to prevent silence from becoming indifference.\u201d
\nFormer Cape Times editor and former group editor-in-chief of Independent Media Aziz Hartley placed the
\ndiscussion within South Africa\u2019s history of press freedom and political detention.
\n\u201cIn any contestation, there are three views: yours, mine, and the truth. Where is it that the
\nmedia stands?\u201d
\nHartley argued that South African journalists have a particular responsibility to scrutinise power and give space
\nto voices that may otherwise be unheard.
\n\u201cOur own history is a mirror for us when it comes to defending the people’s rights.\u201d
\nSALC-FFJ co-founder and Established Africa Managing Editor Magdalene Govender said South Africa\u2019s
\nexperience of receiving international solidarity during the struggle against apartheid creates a responsibility to
\nspeak up when fundamental rights are at stake elsewhere.
\n\u201cIf we had external voices helping us to have this type of liberation, then it is our moral right
\nand responsibility to speak up for others as well. Right now, South Korea needs those voices.\u201d
\nMore than 220 organisations and leaders across the region have endorsed the Coalition\u2019s joint statement
\ncalling for proportionality, fair trial guarantees and the protection of religious liberty. SALC-FFJ said its position is
\nnot based on denomination or political affiliation, but on the principle that human rights and dignity must
\napply to everyone, regardless of nationality, age or faith.
\nAs the world commemorates victims of violence based on religion or belief, the Coalition is calling for continued
\nattention to religious freedom, the presumption of innocence, fair trial rights, proportionality and human
\ndignity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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