UN officers inspect detention facility

Officers from the United Nation's refugee agency have visited Manus Island to inspect Australia's detention facilities for the first time since it opened in November.

UN officers were on the island from Tuesday to Thursday, UNHCR spokesman Ben Farrell said.

Refugee advocates say the UN officers spoke with detainees and toured the facility.

The UN are assessing whether the Australian and PNG Governments are fulfilling their international obligations at the camps and will deliver a report to them in a few weeks, he said.

The UN launched a scathing attack on the Federal Government's offshore processing regime after a visit to Nauru late last year, which found facilities failed to meet international protection standards.

Meanwhile hunger strikes and self harm incidents reportedly continue at the facility.

A letter provided to The West Australian by refugee rights advocates purporting to be written by a detainee said a 27 year old man tried to take his life on Thursday.

Hunger strikes continue on the island and another young man self harmed, the letter said. Two detainees have been sent to Australia for medical treatment, according to the letter.