A/HRC/22/57 48. In 2007, the Special Rapporteur referred to the existence of a large variety of detention centres ranging from those for political dissidents to those for criminals, as well as re-education camps and forced labour camps. He noted the various denominations of these centres including gwanliso (political labour camp), gyohwaso (long-term prison labour camp), jipgyulso (detention facility) and rodongdanryundae (labour facility). 61 49. In 2009, the Special Rapporteur underlined his concern at the use of unreasonable and abusive punishments, and noted in his reports to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly that there are allegations of public and secret executions in political detention camps.62 In February 2010, the Special Rapporteur indicated that “different sources indicate a conglomeration of huge camps for political prisoners and their families, who are often held there in perpetuity.” These included Kaechon, Yodok, Hwasong, Bukchang, Hoeryong, Chonjin are some of the camps of infamy. 63 50. In March 2010, the Special Rapporteur sent a letter to the Government of the Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea regarding conditions in six prison camps and detention centres for political detainees, raising concerns about allegations of forced labour and limited access to basic necessities, such food, shelter, clothing, sanitation and medical treatment. He noted the allegation that the camps hold a large number of persons who have been detained for expressing political opinions, defecting or engaging in acts against the Government, or who are family members of accused persons. In a letter dated 31 March 2010, the Government responded to the Special Rapporteur‟s communication by simply stating that it did not recognize his mandate. The Government also stated that since it believed that the communication was based on fabricated information, it saw no need to comment on its substance.64 51. In his report to the Human Rights Council in 2011, the Special Rapporteur dealt with the question of detention centres and political prisons in the Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea.65 In this report, he noted that apart from the official correctional centres, North Korea is reported to have been operating a number of “political concentration camps”, collection centres and labour training camps. Political prisoners are incarcerated in what is known as “Kwanliso”, operated by the Farm Guidance Bureau of the State Security Agency. He noted that these facilities are also often called “control districts” or “special district for dictatorial control” and that some of the most flagrant human rights violations, such as torture and detention without due process of law are reported to be perpetrated there. 52. The Special Rapporteur further noted that references to such labour training camps can be found in some of legal instruments of the Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea (Article 18 of the Sentences and Decisions Enforcement Law, as amended on 9 November 1998, the revised Penal Code of 2004). This reinforced the Special Rapporteur‟s view that reforms need to take place both to end the use of such labour training camps and amend legislation to ensure it is aligned with international standards.66 53. In his 2011 report to the General Assembly67 the Special Rapporteur highlighted the fact that human rights groups have published satellite images of alleged political prison camps in the Democratic People‟s Republic of Korea. He noted that these images show four 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 A/HRC/4/15, para 13 A/HRC/10/18, para 23; A/63/322, para 5; See also A/HRC/WG.6/6/PRK/2. A/HRC/13/47, para 31 A/65/391, paras 33-34 A/HRC/16/58 A/HRC/16/58, para 55 A/66/322, paras 60-63 21