Another day, another hearing. Today it will be a refugee claim by a minority from Somalia. The situation for minorities in Somalia is difficult. They face systemic discrimination and have no protection and little redress or recourse.
My client has suffered trauma -his son married a woman from a majority clan -an act that is still taboo. Reaction from her clan was swift and devastated the family.
Common issues for this type of claim include identity (always an issue for Somalian claims -not just nationality but whether they can establish that they are members of the group) and of course, credibility. State protection and Internal Flight Alternative are usually not applicable.
The available country condition evidence is corroborative of my client's claims. I found the following to be of assistance:
- "No redress: Somalia's forgotten minorities" Martin Hill (Minority Rights Group International);
- "Country Policy and Information Note. Somalia: Majority clans and minority groups in south and central Somalia" UK Home Office.
There are also a number of helpful RIRs in the NDP.
It's important to not rely exclusively on the NDP -claimant specific documents were also provided and additional corroborative country condition documents (not in the NDP) was disclosed.
Barring any unexpected or unforeseen development I am hoping that my client will be granted protection and start the long road to rebuilding his life.
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