The State has rejected a notice of claims against it by 731 asylum seekers and refugees, who have signed and filed a fresh enforcement of human rights application before the Supreme Court.
Lawyer for the asylum seekers and refugees in Manus, Ben Lomai, told the court this week that the PNG Immigration refused the section 5 notice which was served to them prior to the appeal being filed on Nov 4.
The fresh application is seeking enforcement orders from the Supreme Court decision on April 26, from the case filed by then Opposition Leader Belden Namah.
It was refused by the State because the enforcement orders they were seeking in the application was filed on Nov 4, which was already outside the six months’ period allowable to seek enforcement orders from a decision.
Lomai said he will now be seeking to have an extended timing of section 5 notice served to the State before they proceed with the application before the Supreme Court.
In the fresh enforcement of human rights application filed on Nov 4, the 731 asylum seekers and refugees are seeking to be returned to Australia or be settled in a third country.
They are also seeking compensation for being brought to Manus against their will and their illegal detention in Lombrum for three years.
The matter will return to the Supreme Court on Dec 5 for further directions.
(File picture)