Asylum seekers file case to be released

 By CHARLES MOI  

A GROUP of 288 asylum seekers at the regional processing centre on Manus Island have filed a case in the Supreme Court seeking to be released from the centre. 

The detainees, Mohammed Nure Alam and 287 others through their lawyer Ben Lomai, filed their case in Waigani last Friday. 

They are seeking orders under section 57 of the Constitution on the enforcement of guaranteed rights and freedoms and orders for assessment of damages.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato, Chief Migration Officer Rabura Mataio, Attorney–General Ano Pala and the State are named as defendants in the proceedings. 

Lawyer Ben Lomai told The National yesterday that necessary court documents would be served to the defendants during the week.  Lomai said he expected to add more detainees to the case later on, which would cover all the detainees held at the centre.

 An earlier case filed by Lomai involving Benham Satah and 301 other detainees went for status conference before Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia at the Supreme Court on Monday. 

Parties will return before the registrar on April 7 for the allocation of a hearing date during the Supreme Court sittings which will take place between April 25 and April 29.

Satah and 301 other detainees are also seeking orders to be released from the centre and assessment of damages. 

The detainees are kept at the centre  pursuant to MoA with PNG and Australia Governments.