1707044 (Refugee)

This matter concerned an application for a protection visa by an applicant from Yemen. The applicant claimed to be a businessman targeted by a more influential authority figure, and also raised claims related to his ethnicity, race, political opinion concerning South Yemeni secessionism, and participation in a public demonstration. Additionally, the applicant later raised claims concerning his religion, specifically his conversion from Islam to Coptic Christianity and the non-disclosure of this apostasy to his family, as well as concerns about state protection and relocation. The decision under review was made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The Tribunal was required to determine the credibility of the applicant's claims, particularly those raised late in the process, and to assess whether the applicant met the criteria for a protection visa, including considerations of race, ethnicity, political opinion, and membership in a particular social group. The Tribunal also had to consider the applicant's claims regarding his religious conversion and the potential for persecution based on that conversion, as well as the availability of state protection and relocation within Yemen.

The Tribunal concluded that the matter should be remitted for reconsideration. This decision was based on the Tribunal's assessment of the applicant's claims and the evidence presented, including country information and guidelines relevant to protection status determination. The Tribunal found that a reconsideration was necessary to properly address all aspects of the applicant's case, including the late-raised claims concerning his religious conversion and the potential for persecution arising from it.