SYDNEY (AP) — Australia’s government promised Tuesday not to hand over a group of asylum seekers to the Sri Lankan government without three days’ notice amid a court challenge and uproar from human rights groups.

The government’s pledge came during a High Court hearing held one day after Australia’s immigration minister confirmed that another boatload of asylum seekers had been intercepted by Australian border patrol and handed to Sri Lankan authorities in a transfer at sea last month. Refugee advocates and human rights agencies argued that the asylum seekers could face persecution in their home country.