Asylum seekers and refugees held on Papua New Guinea's Manus island have written to the country's chief justice and told him they are still being held against their will on the island.
The letter comes three weeks after the PNG Supreme Court ruled the detention on Manus of about 900 asylum seekers who were refused entry to Australia was illegal.
PNG's government announced last week the detention of those on the island had ended and the asylum seekers and refugees were free to come and go from the processing centre.
One of the refugees, the Kurdish Iranian journalist, Behrouz Boochani, said the PNG and Australian governments were misleading the media by claiming they were complying with the court ruling.
"This prison is not open. They are making propaganda, saying this prison is open. And they say that we are accepting the PNG high court decision but this is a big lie and they are liars," said Mr Boochani.
Refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island say they are still being held against their will. Photo: Supplied
Mr Boochani said the conditions on Manus remain terrible for him and his fellow detainees, who were taken by Australia to Manus against their will.
The letter from him and hundreds of others held on Manus said they have never wanted to settle in PNG and the reason why they sought refuge in Australia was because they had no other choice at the time.
Refugees and asylum seekers protest on Manus Island. Photo: Supplied
