1621159 (Refugee)

The applicant, who sought a protection visa, was a Christian from Ghana. The dispute concerned his claims of fearing harm from his Muslim relatives and extreme Muslim organisations if he were to return to Ghana. The decision reviewed was made by the Tribunal.

The legal issues before the Tribunal were whether the applicant had a well-founded fear of persecution based on his imputed political opinion or membership of a particular social group, specifically his conversion from Islam to Christianity and his adherence to the Pentecostal Church and Jehovah's Witnesses. The Tribunal was required to assess the credibility of the applicant's claims of past harm and future fear, considering the country information regarding religious tolerance in Ghana.

The Tribunal considered evidence from the applicant, including statutory declarations from his daughter and a Reverend, as well as information provided to the Department. While accepting the applicant's conversion to Christianity, the Tribunal found that the applicant had not suffered past harm and did not have a well-founded fear of serious harm. The Tribunal noted that country information indicated general religious tolerance in Ghana and that the applicant had delayed in applying for protection. The Tribunal ultimately affirmed the decision under review.