What must an officer establish to rebut the presumption of well-founded fear of future persecution?

To rebut the presumption of well-founded fear of future persecution, an officer must establish a fundamental change in circumstances. This principle is based on the idea that if conditions in the applicant's home country have significantly changed since the last observed persecution or threat, it may no longer be reasonable for the applicant to fear future persecution based on past experiences.

A fundamental change might include significant political developments, societal improvements, or other factors that eliminate the threats that led to the initial claim for asylum. This criterion emphasizes the dynamic nature of country conditions and recognizes that past persecution alone does not automatically guarantee a well-founded fear of further persecution if the situation has evolved positively.

In contrast, a lack of evidence of past persecution, the unavailability of legal counsel, or an applicant's stable employment status do not directly address the current conditions or sentiments in the applicant's home country. These options do not serve as relevant bases for establishing that the fear of future persecution is no longer justified.