Lawyers acting for more than 700 asylum seekers held at the Manus Island detention centre have reportedly launched a High Court bid, calling on the Federal Government to immediately move the detainees to Australia.

Human rights barrister Jay Williams told the ABC, the application for an urgent injunction was filed with the High Court on Wednesday.

The group of 757 male asylum seekers are also seeking an order from the court to prevent the Australian Government from moving them to Nauru.

The group allege that both the Australian and PNG governments have committed “gross” human rights breaches.

Last week, Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court ruled that the Manus Island detention centre breached the country’s constitution and was illegal.

Officials from Australia and PNG are still working on a plan to deal with the centre’s closure and the fate of asylum seekers there.

– with other agencies