1602238 (Refugee)

The applicant, a citizen of Fiji, sought review of a decision by the Minister to affirm the refusal of a protection visa. The applicant claimed to fear persecution based on their political opinion as a supporter of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) and their race as an indigenous Fijian. The applicant also raised concerns regarding their employment, accommodation, and the detention of a family member. The decision under review was made by the Minister, and the review was conducted by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant had a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of their race or political opinion, or for reasons of membership of a particular social group, or for any other reason that would entitle them to a protection visa under the *Migration Act 1958* (Cth). Specifically, the Tribunal had to assess whether the applicant's alleged fear of harm was real and whether it was based on one of the grounds specified in the *Migration Act*.

In reaching its decision, the Tribunal considered the evidence presented by the applicant regarding their political affiliation with SODELPA and their indigenous Fijian ethnicity. The Tribunal also examined the general country information for Fiji, including the political climate and any relevant human rights concerns. The Tribunal applied the principles established in refugee law, including the assessment of credibility and the objective likelihood of persecution. The Tribunal found that the applicant's fear of persecution was not well-founded, concluding that the evidence did not establish that the applicant would be persecuted for reasons of their race or political opinion, or any other Convention ground.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision of the Minister to refuse the protection visa.