WASHINGTON D.C. - More than 300 protesters gathered in front of the White House on Saturday to call out the dangerous practices of the Christian Council of Korea s (CCK) religious conversion program. A young woman died last year after forcibly participating in the program because of her decision to follow a certain faith.

Among the protestors were representatives from the Global Citizens Human Rights Coalition (GCHRC), who spoke out against these practices. Organizations in the coalition include the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), International Women s Peace Group, Community Peace Network, and local faith-based organizations.

The CCK is not a religious group, it's a criminal group, said Jeron Clemente, member of IPYG.

Though not widely practiced here in the United States, the actions of the CCK are being made known in Washington, D.C. and throughout the world. The CCK instructs family members to forcibly kidnap their loved ones, confine them in a remote location where a pastor will then verbally berate them until they convert to a preferred religion.

The Coalition also is calling to light the CCK s wrongdoings. These include 1) during the period of Japanese Imperialism, Presbyterian churches of Korea (many of whom are affiliated with the CCK), supported the dictatorship and worshipped Japanese shrine gods, 2) in the recent decade, a total of 12,000 pastors affiliated with the organization were convicted and found guilty of crimes of murder, harassment, and fraud, 3) the organization created and distributed falsified news, confusing citizens slandering unaffiliated churches and 4) elections for both the organization s chairman and pastoral positions are swayed by financial influence.

"I'd like to request to these leaders that these incidents should be stopped," said Mr. Ranjit of the Sikh Center of Virginia. We need to spread the message of oneness and equality.

The protest in D.C. is a part of a worldwide coalition to disband the CCK. With protests of 30,000 people gathered in Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul last week, they now continue in D.C. and around the world. The demands to end the CCK are echoing worldwide. As the international community becomes more aware of this movement, human rights groups and peace organizations are organizing events in various cities to inform their local communities.

D.C. resident Dave Farezi said that he participated in the protest because he believes it should be known that here in D.C. and anywhere in the world, any type of actions that compromise another individual s fundamental human rights will not be taken lightly by the global community.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In promised his citizens a just and righteous nation, professing religious freedom and support to his nation. He promised citizens the freedom to exercise their natural God-given human rights. The GCHRC urges Moon and the South Korean government to listen to citizens, protect human rights, and fulfill their electoral promises by banning the coercive conversion programs and disbanding the CCK.

To learn how you can help support the cause, visit http://endcoerciveconversion.org/.