The UN has sought to investigate and counter human rights abuses in North Korea in the past. In February Darusman and a group of independent human rights experts announced [JURIST report] their support for an international inquiry into human rights violations in North Korea to bring awareness to the country's system of political prison camps. Also in February Darusman urged [JURIST report] the UNHRC and the General Assembly to investigate human rights violations in North Korea. In November he expressed concern [JURIST report] over the country's lack of development in human rights, and called on its new leader, Kim Jong-un [BBC profile; JURIST news archive], to remedy the matter. In January UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay condemned North Korea's human rights record [JURIST report] and urged the international community to make efforts to improve the situation. Pillay's plea came only days after Human Rights Watch called on the UN [JURIST report] to examine human rights abuses, particularly in light of the drop in individuals escaping into China and reports by successful escapees of increasing crackdown on escape attempts.