1515570 (Refugee)

This matter concerned an application for a protection visa by a Sudanese national. The applicant claimed to fear persecution in Sudan due to his alleged involvement with the African National Front and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, and his activities as an anti-government activist and pro-community advocate. The delegate of the Minister refused to grant the visa, and the applicant sought review of this decision before the Tribunal.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant had a well-founded fear of persecution for a Convention reason, or whether there were substantial grounds for believing that, upon removal to Sudan, he would suffer significant harm. Central to this determination was the applicant's credibility, given inconsistencies in his evidence regarding his claimed political activism and his role within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.

The Tribunal found that the applicant had not satisfied the onus of establishing his claims. It noted that the mere assertion of a fear of persecution does not establish its genuineness or that it is well-founded. The Tribunal identified significant credibility concerns arising from the applicant's inconsistent and changing evidence, particularly his failure to disclose the full extent and duration of his claimed involvement with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in his initial statement. Consequently, the Tribunal concluded that the applicant had not demonstrated a well-founded fear of persecution or a real risk of significant harm.

The Tribunal affirmed the delegate's decision to refuse to grant the applicant a protection visa.