Asylum seekers have told a Papua New Guinea court they were not made aware of their right to free legal representation.
During the fourth day of hearings yesterday into human rights obligations at Australia's detention centre on Manus Island, the court heard transferees were not told of their right to free representation under PNG law.
A 26-year-old Burmese asylum seeker told the court he had not spoken to a lawyer in six months.
He said he had one interview with an Australian lawyer and two with immigration officials shortly after arriving on Manus in August or September.
But he said he had heard nothing since.
So far, eight asylum seekers have appeared at the inquiry in Lorengau, the Manus capital.
In each of the men's affidavits, the court struck out mention of the February 17 riot that claimed the life of 23-year-old Iranian asylum seeker Reza Berati.
Many of the transferees who have appeared have indicated the riots made them feel less safe.
Meanwhile, Justice David Cannings, who is heading the inquiry, refused Sydney lawyer Jay Williams' request to represent 75 asylum seekers detained at the Manus facility.
But he did grant Mr Williams' request to visit his clients on Friday.
He also granted Amnesty International leave to join the case as an interested party, and ruled that media be given access to the centre on Friday.
