Hyderabad- Representatives from Indian civil society, academia, legal experts, religious communities, and student organizations gathered today at the Hyderabad Press Club for a press conference organized by the TIM Empowerment Foundation (TIMEF), where attendees strongly called for the immediate release of Chairman Lee Man-hee (95) of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, who is currently detained in South Korea, and demanded an end to what they described as his unjust pre-trial detention.

The press conference was organized to express deep concern and opposition to the harsh treatment and actions of the South Korean judicial authorities, who have detained and investigated a 95-year-old peace activist before the formal trial has even commenced, disregarding the principle of the presumption of innocence.

Opening the event, Dr. Dr. Mohammed Moinuddin Hasan Altaf, Chairman and Founder of TIM Empowerment Foundation (TIMEF), outlined TIMEF's mission to support vulnerable communities through education, healthcare, food assistance, and social welfare, while upholding human dignity and justice. He emphasized that every person deserves fairness, justice, and respect, regardless of nationality, religion, or background, adding that when questions arise about due process or human rights, civil society has a responsibility to speak peacefully and respectfully.

Dr. Hasan shared that he came to respect Chairman Lee Man-hee several years ago after learning about HWPL's work in promoting peace, dialogue, and cooperation across borders and cultures, though he clarified that they respect the independence of the courts and are not there to influence the legal process or comment on the outcome. However, he added that every person deserves a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, and due process under the law, principles that are especially important when an elderly person who has served society for many years is involved, and he concluded by asking the journalists present for accurate and balanced reporting.

Surya Rao, President of Telangana BC Samaj, Founder of BC Times, and Leader of Backward Classes (BC), thanked organizers for the invitation and shared his regret over Chairman Lee's continued detention without trial, arguing that the issue could not be dismissed as a matter confined to another country and that silence in the face of injustice abroad would leave marginalized communities without support when similar injustices occur closer to home. He stated that whenever someone wants to do good things, the world will always try to drag them behind, and the same thing is happening now with Chairman Lee, so they will not stay silent, pledging continued participation in HWPL-led events going forward and strongly urging the immediate release of a dedicated peace activist who has worked tirelessly to bring peace to the world.

Speaking on behalf of the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA), National President Dr. Gowd Kiran Kumar defined the issue not as a matter of supporting a specific individual or organization, but as a fundamental issue of legal principles and the rule of law, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 9, 10, 18, 19, and 20) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)—ratified by South Korea—explaining that these international instruments guarantee protection from arbitrary detention, the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair trial, and freedoms of religion, expression, and assembly. He stated that carrying out a harsh pre-trial detention while ignoring the presumption of innocence before the trial even begins is an unlawful practice for a democracy, setting aside the law to act on political and public pressures, and urged the South Korean government to comply with its international legal obligations while appealing to international bodies, including the UN, to intervene to protect the rights of those involved and press for Chairman Lee's immediate and unconditional release.

Prof. Anwar Khan, a scholar of sociology and human rights, emphasized in his statement that all criminal proceedings must fully respect the principles of due process, necessity, proportionality, and human dignity, arguing that pre-trial detention for a 95-year-old elderly person accused of non-violent charges should be used strictly as an exceptional measure only when necessary and fully compliant with international human rights standards, calling on South Korean authorities to ensure all legal proceedings are fair and transparent. He noted that public confidence in the justice system depends on legal processes being transparent, impartial, and guided solely by evidence and established legal principles, rather than public opinion or political pressure, while highlighting Chairman Lee's work through HWPL in peace education and interfaith dialogue as a vital social asset for resolving conflict. Concluding his remarks, he stated that justice is not a privilege granted to a few but a universal right, adding that when justice is protected, human dignity is protected, and peace becomes possible, and he called on South Korean authorities to deliver a fair judgment aligned with international human rights standards.

Representing members of the religious community in India, Rev. Y. Srinu, a pastor with 23 years of ministry and representative of the independent Pastor Union, stated that he stood there on behalf of many Indian pastors whose faith and understanding of the Scriptures had been transformed through Chairman Lee, emphasizing that Chairman Lee is not only a global peace activist and contributor to social welfare, including Guinness World Record blood donation drives and environmental campaigns, but also a decorated veteran who fought in the Korean War. He stressed that detaining and treating harshly a 95-year-old veteran who shed blood for his nation and dedicated his life to society and humanity—before he has even been tried—is a severe self-destructive act that tarnishes South Korea's own national dignity and international honor, and he strongly urged the immediate cessation of unjust suppression and pre-trial detention.

The press conference concluded with a joint petition and signing ceremony, where Rev. Srinu presented a petition signed by 62 fellow pastors opposing the unjust pre-trial detention and demanding Chairman Lee's immediate release, followed by all attendees at the press club participating in signing the petition for his release. Participants stated that this petition delivery was not the end but the beginning, affirming their resolve to continue peaceful solidarity alongside religious and civil society groups worldwide until the South Korean government reaches a fair decision based on the presumption of innocence and humanitarian standards, and the gathered petitions will be officially submitted to relevant South Korean authorities and international organizations.