RF & Anor v The Secretary of State for the Home Department

Facts

The appellants, RF and SR, are Colombian nationals who have lived together as a couple since May 2021. Both worked with a non-governmental organisation as social leaders and human rights advocates, helping displaced persons and vulnerable communities. The Second Appellant worked as a volunteer organiser supporting women and children. They received threats from FARC dissidents and moved twice within Colombia, first to Villavicencio and then to Bogotá. They reported the threats to the authorities in Bogotá, then left for the United Kingdom and claimed asylum. The Second Appellant was at first treated as a dependant on the First Appellant's claim but later claimed in her own right. The Secretary of State refused the claims by decisions dated 13 December 2024 and 2 October 2025 respectively. The refusals accepted the substance of their account and the threats. They denied any real risk on return, relying among other things on the demobilisation of FARC after the 2016 peace agreement and on the availability of state protection. In a review dated 13 July 2026, the Respondent accepted that the appellants had been identified as military targets because of their status as social leaders, and that they would face persecution or serious harm in areas controlled by the dissident group. The Respondent still argued that protection and internal relocation were available, and relied on Home Office country policy on whether any political-opinion link existed. That concession went to risk in the home area. After the review, the judge still listed all the issues as requiring determination, including whether a Convention reason was engaged and whether each appellant had a subjective fear. The linked appeals were heard at Hatton Cross on 24 August 2026. The Respondent was not represented, and the judge proceeded in the Respondent's absence under rule 28 of the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) Rules 2014.