The number of cases considered for revocation and the number of cases revoked in each of the years in questions is set out in the following table.
YEAR
|
NUMBER REVOKED
|
2005
|
4
|
2006
|
3
|
2007
|
3
|
2008
|
6
|
2009
|
14
|
2010
|
21
|
2011
|
26
|
2012
|
30
|
2013
|
9
|
2014
To date
|
7
|
The majority of revocation cases relate to the applicant providing false and misleading information. In other cases where a refugee informs my Department that they wish to return to their country of origin, it is necessary to revoke their refugee status to allow them to return.
A person whose refugee status has been revoked has a right to appeal my decision to the High Court.
Regarding judicial appeals taken against these decisions - in both 2005 and 2006 one appeal was taken each year against the Minister's decision and both decisions were upheld by the High Court. There were no appeals in either 2007 and 2008. In 2009 there were two appeals, one of which is still ongoing; the other was overturned by the High Court and the applicant's status was re-instated. In 2010 there were three appeals where the Minister's decision was upheld. Two other appeals from 2010 are ongoing in the High Court. In 2011 there were four appeals where the Minister's decision was upheld. One appeal is still ongoing in the High Court. In 2012 there were eight appeals in total of which three decisions were upheld, one was overturned and four are ongoing. In 2013 there was one appeal which is still ongoing. To date in 2014 there have been no appeals.