well-founded fear

The appellants, both homosexual male citizens of Bangladesh, arrived in Australia and applied for protection visas. To be recognized as refugees, the appellants had to show that they had a well-founded fear of being persecuted due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The appellants argued that they belonged to a “particular social group” that was subject to discrimination and harm in Bangladesh by virtue of their homosexuality.

This case concerns an application for review of a decision made by the Immigration and Refugee Board, which had determined a family applying for protection, a mother and two minor children, did not have a “well-founded fear of persecution” and were not persons in need of protection. The family expressed fear of domestic violence upon a return to Mexico.

In the case Joni v. Ricki, the plaintiff moved to extend a domestic violence restraining order against her ex-husband under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-15. The trial court granted the motion based on findings that she was subject to a continuous threat of present physical pain or injury.

The respondent, an allegedly homosexual citizen of Pakistan, arrived in Australia on a visitor visa in 2007 and applied for a protection visa. To be recognized as a refugee, the respondent had to show that he had a well-founded fear of being persecuted due to his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. The respondent argued that, as a homosexual man, he belonged to a particular social group that was persecuted and subject to harm in Pakistan.

In 2007, Thomas (petitioner) and Morris (defendant) ended their twelve-year relationship. One year later, Morris began to make efforts to renew the relationship, and started harassing Thomas with numerous phone calls, leaving voicemail messages on her home and work phone, and making unannounced visits to her workplace and home. In June of 2008, Morris arrived at her residence and did not leave the premises for approximately two hours. During that time, he banged a three-foot metal bar against her trailer, and she felt trapped in her home. Thomas was aware that Morris rou