1711907 (Refugee)

This matter concerned an application for a protection visa by a Hindu applicant and his family, who claimed to fear persecution from Muslim extremists in Bangladesh. The applicant alleged he had received threatening phone calls and letters due to his religious affiliation and membership in the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and as a supporter of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) was required to determine the credibility of the applicant and his wife and whether, based on their accepted claims, they met the criteria for protection.

The Tribunal considered the evidence presented, including country information from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) regarding Bangladesh. The central issue was the credibility of the applicant and his wife, as the Tribunal noted inconsistencies in their evidence. After reviewing the claims and evidence, the Tribunal concluded that the decision under review should be affirmed.

The Tribunal found that while the applicant and his wife were members of the Hindu faith and had provided some background information about their lives in Bangladesh, there were significant credibility concerns arising from inconsistencies in their statements. These credibility issues led the Tribunal to conclude that the applicant had not established a well-founded fear of persecution. Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the prior decision to refuse the protection visa.