1605781 (Refugee)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the protection visa application of an individual from Lebanon. The applicant claimed to fear persecution due to imputed political opinion, mental illness, and religious beliefs, specifically that he believed himself to be a prophet and Archangel Gabriel. The Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant met the criteria for a protection visa under section 36(2)(a) of the *Migration Act 1958* (Cth), which concerns a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.

The Tribunal's reasoning focused on the applicant's mental health condition, including a diagnosis of [Condition 1] and a history of multiple psychiatric hospital admissions. It accepted medical evidence that the applicant believed himself to be a prophet and Archangel Gabriel, and that his behaviour, stemming from his mental illness and lack of insight into his condition, had previously placed him in dangerous situations, such as confronting armed militia and demanding to see Bashar al-Assad at the Syrian border. The Tribunal considered the applicant's lucidity and articulacy when describing his behaviour, acknowledging his unpredictability and past experiences of harm. The Tribunal applied the principles of Ministerial Direction No. 56, considering relevant policy guidelines and country information.

Ultimately, the Tribunal was satisfied that the applicant met the criteria for a protection visa under section 36(2)(a) of the *Migration Act*. The matter was remitted for reconsideration with a direction that the applicant satisfies this criterion.