Swazi man's refugee claim rejected: PHAs not a "particular social group".

Abstract

On 14 July 2009, the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) rejected the claim for refugee protection of B.L.H., an HIV-positive man from Swaziland. B.L.H. made a Convention refugee claim on the basis of his membership in a particular social group, claiming a fear of persecution based on his HIV-positive status. B.L.H. also claimed that he was in need of protection in accordance with Section 97 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).