1503245 (Refugee)

This matter concerned an application for a Protection visa by a Sri Lankan national. The applicant claimed to fear harm from corrupt officers and politicians in Sri Lanka, who allegedly pressured her to withdraw from a coveted position to attend an event. She also claimed to have received death threats and that her family had been threatened after her departure. The decision was made by Brendan Darcy, a Member of the Tribunal.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant met the criteria for a Protection visa, specifically whether she had a well-founded fear of persecution or harm if returned to Sri Lanka. This involved assessing the credibility of her claims and the evidence she presented in support of her fear of harm from specific individuals and groups within Sri Lanka.

In reaching its decision, the Tribunal considered the applicant's claims in light of Ministerial Direction No. 56, which mandates consideration of relevant policy guidelines and country information assessments. The Tribunal found the applicant's evidence to be vague and inconsistent, and her claims implausible. Consequently, the Tribunal concluded that the applicant did not demonstrate a genuine fear of harm, nor did she satisfy the criterion under s.36(2) of the Act.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision not to grant the applicant a Protection visa.