October 11, 2016 - 9:02 AM
KIGALI, Rwanda - Burundi's government says it is suspending the activities of the U.N. human rights office there, following the release of a report implicating the country's security forces in massive rights violations.
Government spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba said in a statement Tuesday that the decision followed a meeting by the foreign ministry on Monday to review the activities of U.N. staff in Burundi.
The U.N. 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 U.N. 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.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016