Lawyers representing asylum seekers whose bids for refugee status have been rejected on Manus Island will return to court today seeking a permanent injunction on deportation.
The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a temporary injunction on deporting asylum seekers after two Iranians whose bid for refugee status had been rejected were forcibly removed from the country last week.
The lawyer representing more than 300 asylum seekers, Ben Lomai, says his clients are challenging the constitutionality of their detention, and shouldn't be deported while their case is before the courts.
He says he wants a permanent injunction until the challenge is resolved.
"I'll put to the court that all of the asylum seekers, 300 of which are already part of the court and they've already filed proceedings in court to enforce their constitutional rights. They have a case to be heard here and they should not be deported back to their countries of origin."
