When assessing past persecution, what can serve as a factor for intensity of persecution?

The potential repercussions of return are a crucial factor for determining the intensity of past persecution because they reflect the seriousness and immediacy of threats faced by the individual if they were to return to their home country. Intensity of persecution is assessed by evaluating the degree and severity of harm that the applicant has suffered in the past and what they could realistically expect if they were to be repatriated.

If there are significant threats or repercussions, such as threats to life, torture, severe discrimination, or ongoing harassment, this clearly indicates a higher intensity of persecution. The evaluation of these potential repercussions helps to establish whether past experiences were part of a systematic pattern of harm due to the applicant's membership in a protected class.

Other factors, such as the applicant’s financial resources, public opinion in their home country, or their employment history, may contextualize the applicant's situation but do not directly reflect the persecution experienced. For example, financial resources may affect the applicant's ability to escape persecution or seek safety but do not intrinsically influence the level of persecution itself. Understanding the repercussions of returning is a more direct indicator of the risks involved, thus reinforcing its relevance in assessing the intensity of past persecution.