2101753 (Refugee)

This matter concerned an application for a protection visa by a citizen of Bangladesh. The applicant claimed he feared harm upon return to Bangladesh due to his alleged political association with the Bangladesh National Party, a past relationship with a woman whose family supported the Awami League, his alleged renunciation of Islam and conversion to Christianity, and mistreatment by his stepmother. The Federal Court remitted the matter for reconsideration by the Tribunal.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant had established a real chance of suffering significant harm if returned to Bangladesh, considering his claims of persecution based on political opinion, religious conversion, and past familial mistreatment. The Tribunal also needed to assess the credibility of the applicant's claims, particularly in light of his illegal departure from Bangladesh and the potential implications of a data breach.

The Tribunal found that the applicant's claims regarding political affiliation and his relationship were fabricated to support his protection claim. It was not satisfied that the applicant had renounced Islam or genuinely converted to Christianity, nor that he had been harmed by his stepmother. Consequently, the Tribunal concluded there was no real chance of the applicant suffering serious or significant harm upon return to Bangladesh based on these grounds. The Tribunal also found no real risk of harm arising from his illegal departure, the data breach, or the fact of his involuntary return.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision under review, finding that the applicant had not established that he would face a real risk of significant harm if returned to Bangladesh.