Burundi’s government says it is suspending the activities of the UN human rights office there, following the release of a report implicating the country’s security forces in massive rights violations.
Government spokesperson Philippe Nzobonariba said in a statement on Tuesday that the decision followed a meeting by the foreign ministry on Monday to review the activities of the UN staff in Burundi.
The UN report on rights violations escalated tensions between the world body and Burundi’s government when it was released in September. On Monday, Burundi announced it had banned three UN rights investigators from entering the country.
The investigators documented hundreds of cases of summary executions, arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence.
Burundi has been gripped by violence since President Pierre Nkurunziza sought and won a third term last year.
