CARIBPR WIRE, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. July 10, 2026: Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, said on July 9 that the international human rights organization CAP LC, the Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience, had submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

Excerpt from a joint written statement submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council with CAP LC’s participation / Source: U.N. Human Rights Council

Excerpt from a joint written statement submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council with CAP LC’s participation / Source: U.N. Human Rights Council

In the statement, CAP LC focused less on the controversy surrounding Shincheonji Church of Jesus itself than on the standards by which such matters are assessed. The group expressed concern that negative perceptions and unverified materials formed in South Korea, if disseminated abroad, could have a serious impact not only on public opinion in other countries but also on administrative and judicial decisions.

CAP LC therefore urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement showed that if unfounded stigma were allowed to gain international acceptance, other religious minorities could also be judged in the same manner, underscoring the responsibility of states to protect the rights of all religious minorities.

CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council, or ECOSOC, is an international NGO that has consistently raised internationally watched cases involving religious freedom. It has previously brought before the United Nations issues including the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over violations of religious freedom stemming from the Japanese government’s request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the fact that such an international NGO had issued a statement on the matter demonstrated that the case involving the church was not merely a domestic controversy in South Korea, but one that was also drawing attention in light of international human rights standards.

Stigma Without Evidence: Cases Across Countries Point to Social Discrimination

The statement cited cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries, saying that negative perceptions of Shincheonji Church of Jesus members had gone beyond public opinion and led to administrative proceedings and interference with individuals’ social lives.

In the United Kingdom, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ application for registration, describing the church as a “cult,” a term whose legal definition remains unclear. CAP LC pointed out that the use of such terms without a clear legal basis in official administrative procedures can produce a strong social stigma.

In Germany and other German-speaking countries, cases have been reported of members facing workplace discrimination amid negative public sentiment driven by certain media outlets and church figures. CAP LC said a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists was a major factor in deepening such discriminatory perceptions.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said such cases were not limited to isolated instances of harm identified in some countries. It said unfounded stigma and unverified claims were causing disadvantages for individual members in their workplaces, families and broader social lives, and called for administrative and judicial decisions in each country to be based on clear legal standards and verifiable evidence.

Rights Concerns Raised Over Detention of Elderly Leader Amid Party Membership Probe

The statement also shed light on controversy in South Korea over political participation. CAP LC criticized claims by some political forces that the party membership of Shincheonji Church of Jesus members amounted to “religion-politics collusion,” saying that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely because those involved are members of a particular religion.

On that basis, CAP LC called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, the principle of non-discrimination and the state’s religious neutrality.

Amid these concerns, South Korea is conducting an investigation into allegations related to church members’ party membership. On June 24, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee, citing concerns including possible destruction of evidence. On June 29, the government joint investigation headquarters indicted Lee while in detention on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act.

While the final determination of the charges will be made through the trial process, Shincheonji Church of Jesus maintains that this case, too, should be handled in accordance with due process and objective evidence, rather than social perceptions or political controversy. The church said this position was also in line with the concerns raised in CAP LC’s statement.

The necessity and proportionality of detention during the investigation have also emerged as issues. Shincheonji Church of Jesus maintains that the necessity and proportionality of detention should be subject to stricter scrutiny, given that Lee, born in 1931 and now 95, is of advanced age, has actively cooperated with the investigation, and that key materials have already been secured through searches and seizures.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases of discrimination cited in CAP LC’s statement and the investigation in South Korea raised a common question: what standards should state judicial and administrative authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities?

The church said the issue went beyond controversy over a particular religious group and served as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are being equally protected in domestic and international procedures. It also said this was why the international community was watching the case — to determine whether legal grounds and the principles of due process are being consistently upheld in South Korea’s investigation and in administrative and judicial decisions in other countries.

Ultimately, the church said, how the case is resolved would serve as a test of the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities, beyond the matter of a single religious organization.

ABOUT SCJ

SCJ is an abbreviation for Shincheonji. SCJ TV is the official broadcasting channel of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. As a global media platform featuring worship, Bible education, teaching, and cultural content, SCJ TV aims to make its Bible-based teachings accessible to audiences worldwide, transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries.

Website : https://www.shincheonji.org/en

Contact: press@scjtvglobal.com

The Fund represents one of the largest dedicated film investment platforms for Africa’s creative industries and signals a major push to connect African storytelling with global capital markets

For Women In Science 2025 Winners

Jamaican scientists Dr. Lori-Ann Fisher and Dr. Arianne Brown Jordan, winners of the 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program for the Caribbean, were recognized for their research addressing important health and environmental challenges in the region.

CARIBPR WIRE, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, July 08, 2026:- L’Oréal Caribe and the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean announce the opening of the 2026 call for applications for the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program, an initiative that recognizes and supports outstanding women researchers from the region by awarding two $15,000 USD grants to advance the development of their scientific research.

The call for applications will be open from May 19 through August 14, 2026, and is intended for women scientists from the Caribbean who are pursuing doctoral studies, conducting postdoctoral research, or are in the early stages of a scientific research career within the program’s eligible STEM disciplines.

The program is part of the renowned global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science movement, created to promote women’s participation in scientific research and help reduce the gender gaps that continue to persist in STEM fields. In the Caribbean, the initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and the Caribbean Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“At L’Oréal Caribe, we firmly believe that science needs the talent, creativity, and leadership of women to address the challenges of today and the future. Through For Women in Science, we seek to increase the visibility of and support women researchers who are generating knowledge and innovation with an impact on our region and the world,” said Liana Camacho, Market Vice President of L’Oréal Caribe.

Eligible candidates must conduct research in areas such as formal sciences, life and environmental sciences, materials science, engineering, and technological sciences. The awards seek to provide financial support and recognition to women who contribute to scientific advancement across different fields of knowledge and whose research helps drive solutions to some of the main challenges facing the region.

“UNESCO works to recognize and promote the talent of women in science, foster diverse perspectives, and break down the barriers that limit their professional development,” said Audrey Azoulay, General Director of UNESCO.

In its 2025 edition, the program recognized Jamaican scientists Dr. Lori-Ann Fisher and Dr. Arianne Brown Jordan for research addressing important health and environmental challenges. Dr. Fisher conducts research on genetic factors associated with liver diseases, while Dr. Brown Jordan studies the presence of bacterial diseases in water systems serving vulnerable communities. Their research highlights the impact of Caribbean women scientists in generating knowledge and solutions for the region.

Globally, women continue to face significant challenges in the scientific field. According to UNESCO data, women represent approximately one-third of researchers worldwide. Although Latin America and the Caribbean have a higher representation of women in science than the global average, significant challenges remain regarding access to funding, visibility, and leadership opportunities in scientific research.

Interested applicants can review the complete eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the For Women in Science application platform https://www.forwomeninscience.com/challenge/show/167 . The deadline to apply is August 14, 2026.

About L’Oréal Caribe

L’Oréal is recognized as the world’s leading beauty company, with a broad portfolio of brands distributed across four main divisions: Consumer Products, Professional Products, L’Oréal Luxe, and Dermatological Beauty. From its offices in Puerto Rico, L’Oréal Caribe oversees operations across 25 Caribbean islands, with the mission to create the beauty that moves the world: beauty that is inclusive, ethical, generous, and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With a portfolio of 31 international brands and ambitious sustainability goals under our L’Oréal for the Future program, we strive to offer everyone, everywhere, the best in quality, efficacy, safety, transparency, and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in all its infinite forms.

For more information, visit L’Oréal Caribe’s official website: https://www.loreal.com/en/caribe/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c00b093c-5053-4882-827f-cd5e65ae3c1c

Abre convocatoria For Women in Science 2026 con dos becas de $15,000 para investigadoras del Caribe

En su cuarta edición la iniciativa otorgará dos premios de $15,000 para apoyar a investigadoras caribeñas en las áreas de STEM

CARIBPR WIRE, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, July 08, 2026: L’Oréal Caribe y la Oficina de la UNESCO para el Caribe anuncian la apertura de la convocatoria 2026 del programa L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science , una iniciativa que reconoce y apoya a investigadoras destacadas de la región mediante la otorgación de dos becas de $15,000 USD para impulsar el desarrollo de sus investigaciones científicas.

La convocatoria estará abierta desde el 19 de mayo hasta el 14 de agosto de 2026, y es dirigida a mujeres científicas del Caribe que se encuentren cursando estudios doctorales, realizando investigaciones posdoctorales o desarrollando una carrera temprana en investigación científica dentro de las disciplinas STEM elegibles del programa.

El programa forma parte del reconocido movimiento global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, creado para promover la participación de las mujeres en la investigación científica y contribuir a reducir las brechas de género que aún persisten en las disciplinas STEM. En el Caribe, la iniciativa cuenta con la colaboración de la Academia Caribeña de Ciencias y la División Caribeña de la Asociación Americana para el Avance de la Ciencia.

“En L’Oréal Caribe creemos firmemente que la ciencia necesita del talento, la creatividad y el liderazgo de las mujeres para responder a los desafíos del presente y del futuro. A través de For Women in Science buscamos visibilizar y apoyar a investigadoras que están generando conocimiento e innovación con impacto para nuestra región y para el mundo”, expresó Liana Camacho, vicepresidenta de Mercado de L’Oréal Caribe.

Las candidatas elegibles deberán realizar investigaciones en áreas como ciencias formales, ciencias de la vida y ambientales, ciencias de los materiales, ingeniería y ciencias tecnológicas. Los premios buscan brindar apoyo económico y reconocimiento a mujeres que contribuyen al avance científico desde distintos campos del conocimiento y que, a través de sus investigaciones, impulsan soluciones para algunos de los principales retos que enfrenta la región.

“La UNESCO trabaja para reconocer y promover el talento de las mujeres en la ciencia, impulsar perspectivas diversas y derribar las barreras que limitan su desarrollo profesional”, destacó Audrey Azoulay, Directora General de la UNESCO.

En su edición del 2025, el programa reconoció a las científicas jamaicanas Dra. Lori-Ann Fisher y Dra. Arianne Brown Jordan por investigaciones que abordan importantes retos de salud y medioambiente. La Dra. Fisher desarrolla estudios sobre factores genéticos vinculados a enfermedades hepáticas, mientras que la Dra. Brown Jordan investiga la presencia de enfermedades bacterianas en sistemas de agua de comunidades vulnerables. Sus investigaciones destacan el impacto de las científicas caribeñas en la generación de conocimiento y soluciones para la región.

A nivel mundial, las mujeres continúan enfrentando desafíos significativos en el ámbito científico. Según datos de la UNESCO, representan aproximadamente un tercio de los investigadores en el mundo. Aunque América Latina y el Caribe muestran una representación femenina superior al promedio global, aún existen importantes retos relacionados con el acceso al financiamiento, la visibilidad y las oportunidades de liderazgo en la investigación.

Las interesadas podrán conocer los requisitos completos de elegibilidad y presentar su solicitud a través de https://www.forwomeninscience.com/challenge/show/167. La fecha límite para participar es el 14 de agosto de 2026.

Acerca de L’Oréal Caribe

L’Oréal es reconocida como la empresa de belleza líder en el mundo, con un amplio portafolio de marcas distribuidas en cuatro divisiones principales: Productos de Consumo, Productos Profesionales, Lujo y Belleza Dermatológica. Desde sus oficinas en Puerto Rico, L’Oréal Caribe supervisa operaciones en 25 islas del Caribe, con la misión de crear belleza que mueva al mundo: una belleza inclusiva, ética, generosa y comprometida con la sostenibilidad social y ambiental. Con un portafolio de 31 marcas internacionales y ambiciosas metas de sostenibilidad bajo nuestro programa L’Oréal for the Future, nos esforzamos por ofrecer a todas las personas, en cualquier lugar, lo mejor en calidad, eficacia, seguridad, transparencia y responsabilidad, celebrando la belleza en todas sus infinitas formas.

Para más información, visite: https://www.loreal.com/en/caribe/

Una foto asociada con este comunicado de prensa está disponible en:

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• A 95-Year-Old Behind Bars on Political Party Charges Involving No Violence
• Senior Official Publicly Quotes Scripture to Condemn a Religious Minority
• Detention Alleged to Violate UN Mandela Rules and WGAD Principles

Chairman Lee Man-hee, 95, was taken into custody on June 24 on political party charges involving no violence - drawing sharp condemnation from international religious freedom organizations.

CARIBPR WIRE, SEOUL, South Korea, Mon. July 6, 2026: International criticism is mounting over the detention and prosecution of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and over recent public remarks by South Korea’s Minister of Justice, Jeong Seong-ho.

On June 30, Minister Jeong announced on his social media account that Chairman Lee had been indicted while in detention, writing that “strict criminal punishment corresponding to its responsibility is inevitable.” He closed the post by quoting Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets.” Shincheonji Church of Jesus is a Christian denomination founded in South Korea in 1984.

Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho posted "strict criminal punishment is inevitable" on the day of indictment, closing with Matthew 7:15. Dr. Introvigne called it prejudging the outcome before trial.

Dr. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist of religion, has published two articles in the religious-freedom and human-rights outlet Bitter Winter addressing this situation: the first on June 24, 2026, criticizing the detention of Chairman Lee at the time of his arrest; and a second on July 2, 2026, raising detailed criticism of Minister Jeong’s public remarks.

■ Detention of the 95-Year-Old Chairman: ‘Jailing an Elderly Religious Leader Violates International Standards’

Chairman Lee was taken into custody on June 24 on charges including violation of the Political Parties Act, and was formally indicted while still in detention on June 30. Investigators allege that between July 2021 and January 2024, Lee organized the enrollment of roughly 50,000 Shincheonji members into the People Power Party (PPP) in an effort to influence the party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries.

Dr. Introvigne argued that placing an elderly religious leader in detention over a case that does not involve violence or other serious crimes falls short of the proportionality standards required under the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the “Mandela Rules”) and the principles articulated by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Sociologist Dr. Massimo Introvigne, writing in Bitter Winter, described the situation as "a stain on South Korea's democratic credentials."

He linked the case to that of Han Hak-ja, the 83-year-old leader of the Unification Church (the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification), who was being held in a separate case, warning that “this is not an issue confined to a single religious group — a pattern is emerging in which physical detention is repeatedly used against elderly religious leaders.”

Immediately after the detention, Shincheonji Church of Jesus responded that “Chairman Lee and the church have fully cooperated with every stage of the investigation, including the search and seizure operations,” calling the detention “in effect a physical punishment imposed on a 95-year-old suspect.”

■ Justice Minister’s Public Remarks Targeting a Specific Religion: ‘A Conflict With State Neutrality’

What Dr. Introvigne found particularly troubling was the timing of Minister Jeong’s statement. Jeong made his public call for “strict criminal punishment” on the very day Chairman Lee was formally indicted while in detention. Introvigne noted that when the official who oversees the justice and prosecution system publicly declares the need for punishment just as a case is beginning, it risks being seen as prejudging the outcome.

Dr. Introvigne also pointed out that a public official’s use of a Bible verse that could cast the defendant in a negative light may conflict with the state’s principle of religious neutrality. Because a sitting Minister of Justice’s public statements are likely to be read as more than personal opinion — effectively as the government’s official position – he argued that such remarks warrant far greater caution.

■ The Central Issue Will Be Whether Coercion Occurred

The legal question at the heart of the case is not that members joined a political party, but whether they were coerced into doing so. Prosecutors say the evidence points to an organized, forced-enrollment campaign, while Shincheonji Church of Jesus maintains that members were not compelled by force or directive.

Dr. Introvigne predicted that the trial will hinge on what evidence and legal reasoning are used to prove coercion. He argued that “these charges risk criminalizing ordinary civic participation simply because the individuals belong to a religious minority,” adding that “Shincheonji members, like any other South Korean citizens, have the right to join a political party and support a candidate.”

■ “A Stain on South Korea’s Democratic Credentials”

South Korea's detention of religious leaders has become a test case for international religious freedom standards.

Dr. Introvigne said the case is being closely watched in international religious-freedom circles not simply as a question of guilt or innocence for one religious group, but as a test of “whether a democratic state applies the same standards of rule of law and human rights to religious groups that are controversial or classified as minorities.”

If statements by senior government officials appear to influence judicial independence, a defendant’s right to a defense, or the political freedom of believers, the damage extends beyond the fairness of a single case — it can undermine confidence in the state’s commitment to the rule of law and human rights. A genuine democracy, he said, must guarantee the same procedures and rights to minority groups as to everyone else.

Dr. Introvigne described the situation as “a stain on South Korea’s democratic credentials” and said it is “a matter the world should pay attention to.”

ABOUT SCJ

SCJ is an abbreviation for Shincheonji. SCJ TV is the official broadcasting channel of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. As a global media platform featuring worship, Bible education, teaching, and cultural content, SCJ TV aims to make its Bible-based teachings accessible to audiences worldwide, transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries.

For more : https://www.shincheonji.org/en

Contact: press@scjtvglobal.com

Some of the designers at the 2025 Origins Fashion Festival in Guyana.

CARIBPR WIRE, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. July 3, 2026: ORIGINS: The Guyana Fashion Festival returns for three immersive days, July 3-5, as Guyana’s premier fashion and cultural showcase.

This year’s Diamond Jubilee edition themed A Diamond Legacy: Fashioning 60 Years, celebrates Guyana’s 60th year of Independence by bringing together Guyanese designers, diaspora talent, emerging creatives and artisans with international visitors, showcasing fashion as a catalyst for national identity, economic development and cultural tourism.

Guyana has recorded the world’s highest real GDP growth rates in recent years, according to International Monetary Fund data. As the country pursues broader economic diversification, ORIGINS showcases the growing role of fashion and the creative industries.

“This initiative demonstrates the Government of Guyana’s commitment to advancing the Orange Economy as a pillar of national development,” said Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. “We are investing in the platforms, networks and market access that allow our designers and creatives to grow enterprises, compete internationally and contribute to a more diversified economy.”

Three themed runway experiences highlight Guyana’s story: Golden Threads of Time celebrates 60 years of Guyanese style; Ancestral Threads showcases Indigenous materials and traditional craftsmanship; and Fashion Meets Innovation explores sustainability and forward-thinking Caribbean design.

“For years, Guyanese designers have been creating exceptional work without the industry support needed to grow sustainable businesses,” said Keisha Edwards, Festival and Designer Director. “ORIGINS is more than a fashion festival. It’s an industry-building platform designed to strengthen Guyana’s creative ecosystem through mentorship, business development, market access, so the next generation of Guyanese creatives inherits an industry that is connected, supported and built to thrive.”

More than 30 designers from Guyana and across its diaspora will take the runway over the festival’s three nights, many of them trained through ORIGINS’ own workshops in branding, export-ready packaging, apparel construction and business fundamentals, taught by facilitators from across the Caribbean and beyond.

The festival closes with the ORIGINS Awards, honoring Best Fashion Designer, Best Emerging Designer, Best Storyteller Innovator, and Male and Female Model of the Year.

Learn More At: https://www.instagram.com/origins.guyanafashionfestival/

About ORIGINS
The ORIGINS: Guyana Fashion Festival is a three-day immersive fashion event conceived to celebrate Guyana’s cultural heritage, resilience, and evolving sense of style, while showcasing local talent and global Guyanese icons. Follow ORIGINS on Instagram at @origins.guyanafashionfestival for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

MIRAMAR, Fla., June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The cruise industry is now open for business, as registration is officially open for the FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show, the only cruise conference taking place in the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) keynote and only open registration event allowing any attendee to target about 100 high-level cruise executives during an agenda featuring workshops, networking functions, one-on-one meetings, and more.

CARIBPR WIRE, NEW YORK, NY, June 23, 2026: As the African Union officially launches its historic Decade on Reparations and Caribbean nations intensify demands for reparatory justice, a landmark new book has arrived to fundamentally shift the global legal and political ground.

The Crown’s Silence, authored by acclaimed historian Brooke N. Newman, reveals that from the 1560s to 1807, the British monarchy didn’t merely permit the transatlantic slave trade – they directly invested in it, designed it, and amassed vast royal wealth from the labor of millions of enslaved Africans.

Drawing on extensive, newly examined royal archives and manuscripts from the Royal African Company, the South Sea Company, the Royal Navy, and colonial officials, Newman dismantles Britain’s long-standing defense that colonial slavery was strictly the work of private enterprises. Instead, the book presents undeniable archival proof that the Crown was an active architect, investor, and financial beneficiary of the Caribbean slave system.

For Caribbean nations and their diaspora communities, this book serves as critical new evidence. By establishing direct Crown complicity, Newman’s findings fundamentally undermine the moral and legal shields London has historically relied upon to resist financial and structural accountability.

The book’s release comes at a critical geopolitical turning point:

• The Global Framework: The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has formally declared the AU Decade on Reparations (2026–2036), running alongside the UN Second International Decade for People of African Descent.
• CARICOM’s Legal Push: Led by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the movement has evolved from academic debate into active state-led demands. CARICOM’s 10-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice – including formal apologies and debt cancellation – carries renewed urgency with these newly exposed historical receipts.
• Severing Ties: The revelation arrives as multiple Caribbean nations actively reassess their constitutional relationships with the British monarchy and move toward becoming republics.

As Newman demonstrates, four centuries of royal silence have only deferred an inevitable reckoning. The Crown’s Silence proves that contemporary demands for reparations are not new claims, but long-overdue accounts waiting to be settled.

The Crown’s Silence is now available in the US and the UK. For more information, visit www.brookennewman.com/the-crowns-silence.

Gold Seal of Approval® reaffirms the organization’s commitment to high-quality diagnostic imaging and patient-centered care in the Caribbean.

Afreximbank remains committed to supporting increased intra-Caribbean and Africa-Caribbean trade by improving access to trade finance, investment capital and advisory support

The roadshow which took place under the theme “Investing in progress through the implementation of the Afreximbank mandate in The Bahamas” built on the current achievements between the Bank and The Bahamas