The length of time is okay, but the question about whether or not you're giving the individual refugee a chance to tell their own story is a separate issue. It kind of defeats the purpose. So let's say rather than eight days without counsel, you could have 28 days and you have a right to counsel. Essentially what you have is a mini hearing. Practically speaking, if the counsel is going to be there and the person is going to maintain the right to make their case, which is a fundamental human right, then what's the difference between that 28-day mini hearing to set up the claim and then the hearing that happens 60, 120, or 180 days later for the decision? It seems unnecessary duplication.
