UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. human rights chief criticized Laos and China on Friday for returning nine young defectors — all reportedly orphans — to North Korea, where they could face harsh treatment.

Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay urged Chinese and Laotian authorities to publicly clarify the fate of the nine defectors and the conditions of their return, which apparently violated international law, U.N. deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey said.