1819719 (Refugee)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the protection visa application of an individual from Sierra Leone. The applicant claimed to fear harm due to his political opinion, specifically as an active supporter of the All People’s Congress (APC) party, which had recently lost an election to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). The applicant asserted that his role as a polling agent during the 7 March 2018 election, where he reported vote-stealing by SLPP members, made him a target for retribution. He further alleged that SLPP supporters, led by a specific individual, subsequently attacked his family, resulting in the sexual assault of his mother and sister, the death of his sister, and the disappearance of his mother and brothers.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant had a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of his political opinion, as defined by the Refugee Convention, and whether he would be at risk of serious harm or death if returned to Sierra Leone. This involved assessing the credibility of the applicant's claims regarding his political activities, the threats he allegedly received, and the harm inflicted upon his family. The Tribunal also had to consider the evidence presented, including the applicant's own testimony, witness statements, documentary evidence such as his APC membership card and his sister's death certificate, and relevant country information.

In its reasoning, the Tribunal considered the applicant's account of his involvement in the election and the subsequent events. It evaluated the consistency and plausibility of his narrative, as well as the supporting and contradictory evidence. The Tribunal applied the principles of refugee law, including the assessment of subjective fear and objective risk, and the criteria for establishing a well-founded fear of persecution. After a thorough review of all the material, the Tribunal concluded that the applicant's claims were not sufficiently credible to warrant the grant of a protection visa. Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the decision under review.