G.S. v The International Protection appeals tribunal & Anor (Approved)

THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION APPEALS TRIBUNAL AND THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY

      In these proceedings the Applicant seeks to challenge the decision of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (hereinafter "the IPAT") dated the 1 st of February, 2025, (communicated by letter dated the 11 th of February, 2025) made pursuant to s. 46 of the International Protection Act, 2015 (hereinafter "the 2015 Act") affirming the recommendation of the International Protection Officer under s. 39(3)(c) of the 2015 Act in finding that he was not entitled to subsidiary protection or refugee status.�

      The Applicant is a 31-year-old, single man from Georgia.� He made a claim for international protection to the Minister on the 25 th of August, 2022, on the basis that if returned to Georgia, he would face persecution for reasons of his religious faith, having converted to the Jehovah Witness faith, or a real risk of suffering serious harm.

      The Applicant submitted an IPO 05 form and had a s.13 interview. He later completed and submitted an International Protection Questionnaire, dated the 6 th of October, 2022.��

      Pursuant to s.35 of the 2015 Act, the Applicant attended for interview on the 20 th of June, 2024, with an officer of the International Protection Office (hereinafter the "IPO"). �During the course of interview, the Applicant's knowledge of the Jehovah's Witness religion was probed and his responses recorded.