UN appoints Kirby to head inquiry into rights abuses in North Korea Awkward: Michael Kirby gets tough posting. When the former High Court judge Michael Kirby switched on his computer at 4am on Wednesday - he is accustomed to starting early - he was greeted by 400 emails of congratulations. Among them was a message from the United Nations Human Rights Council, appointing him to chair a team investigating human rights abuses in North Korea. The abuses will include forced starvation, prison camps, torture, arbitrary detention, discrimination, restrictions to freedom of expression and movement, murder and abductions. The work must be completed in six months. Twenty years ago Mr Kirby served as a special representative of the United Nations in Cambodia, so he has some experience in dealing with "awkward" situations, but that appointment began after the Khmer Rouge had been overthrown and a new government democratically elected. There is no guarantee that North Korea will allow the committee to enter the country, let alone co-operate with the inquiry. "It would be better if we could have access but I don't believe it will be so difficult that we can't fulfil our mandate," Mr Kirby said. Much of the evidence will probably be given in countries such as Japan, Thailand and South Korea, where North Koreans have set up communities. And whether or not the regime co-operates, the committee will still take steps to support the evidence. "I'm not there to do political things," Mr Kirby said. I'm there simply to gather evidence. That's all I'm asked to do and all I can do and all I should do. The machinery of the world community has been swung into action on this issue and that will focus a great deal of attention. The Australian government sounded out Mr Kirby for the role two weeks ago, since which time many international groups have also approached him. He said he was surprised to be selected, but thought his work in Cambodia might have placed him in people's minds.