Cap. 420 Art. 9Cessation of qualification for refugee status.

(1) A person shall cease to possess refugee status if he -

(a) has voluntarily re-availed himself of the protection of the country of his or her nationality, or, having lost his nationality, has voluntarily re-acquired it; or

(b) has acquired a new nationality and enjoys the protection of the country of his new nationality; or

(c) has voluntarily re-established himself in the country which he left or outside which he remained owing to fear of persecution; or

(d) can no longer, because the circumstances in connection with which he has been recognised as a refugee have ceased to exist, continue to refuse to avail himself of the protection of the country of his nationality; or

(e) is a person who has no nationality and, because the circumstances in connection with which he has been recognised as a refugee have ceased to exist, is able to return to the country of his former habitual residence: Provided that in paragraphs (d) and (e), regard shall be had as to whether the change of circumstances is of such a significant and non-temporary nature that the refugee’s fear of persecution can no longer be regarded as well-founded:

Provided further that paragraphs (d) and (e) shall not apply to a refugee who is able to invoke compelling reasons arising out of previous persecution for refusing to avail himself of the protection of the country of nationality or, being a stateless person, of the country of former habitual residence.

(2) A person who is notified that he has ceased to possess refugee status shall be entitled to appeal against such decision to the Tribunal within fifteen (15) days of such notification and the provisions of article 7 shall apply to such appeal. The decision of mutatis mutandis the Tribunal shall be final.