The High Court has decided indefinite detention is unlawful. What happens now? By Eoin Blackwell/AAP, The Conversation

This week, the High Court of Australia ordered the release of a Rohingya man from immigration detention where he had been for the last five and a half years.

Commentators and human rights groups have been celebrating this decision, which indicates the court will overturn a 20-year-old precedent.

The court has stated it will release its decision at a later time. It is important to wait for that judgement to determine the full implications of the decision and how it may limit the government’s power to detain non-citizens.

But here’s a brief rundown on the background of the case and some considerations of what could happen next.

The High Court has decided indefinite detention is unlawful. What happens now? By Eoin Blackwell/AAP, The Conversation