Burundi has banned three UN investigators from entering the country after they accused the government of gross human rights violations.
The investigators said in a report last month that thousands of people had been tortured, suffered sexual abuse or disappeared during political violence.
They also warned of the danger of genocide from the escalating violence.
The decision comes days after Burundi announced plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
A letter signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Alain Aime Nyamitwe said Pablo de Greiff of Colombia, Christof Heyns of South Africa, and Maya Sahli-Fadel of Algeria were no longer welcome in Burundi.
Their investigation, published in a UN report, had described "abundant evidence of gross human rights violations" possibly amounting to crimes against humanity, by the government of Burundi and people associated with it.
Speaking in New York on Monday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric urged Burundi to continue to co-operate with the investigators.
"It's critical that Burundi and every other country co-operate fully with UN human rights mechanism and that is including working with those representing it," he said.
Burundi's announcement to withdraw from the ICC came six months after the Hague-based court said it would investigate ongoing violence in the country.
The African Union (AU) has repeatedly complained that the ICC treats Africans and Africa unfairly.
Burundi descended into political turmoil in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunzinza began his bid for a third term.
Since then, more than 500 people have died and at least 270,000 have fled the country.
Latest Stories
-
Otto Addo is not the right man for the Black Stars – Osei Palmer
7 minutes -
ORAL operation: I receive threats daily – Okudzeto Ablakwa
12 minutes -
Scrap e-levy, betting taxes, but don’t introduce new ones through back door – Gideon Boako
20 minutes -
Gov’t revokes appointment of MIIF CEO
21 minutes -
Gold, cocoa prices to surge in 2025, but crude oil to tumble – Report
27 minutes -
GPL: Kotoko’s Emmanuel Kotei suffers ACL injury, set to miss rest of the season
28 minutes -
Hollywood actress, Dalyce Curry’s body found burnt in Los Angeles home amid wildfires
37 minutes -
‘Gospel Musician’ arrested with decapitated head
47 minutes -
Nii Lante Vanderpuye can ‘break unscrupulous cartel’ as Sports Minister – Boxing Promoter
54 minutes -
How production of traditional mat can serve as gateway to economic growth in South Tongu
2 hours -
Africa has a new agrifood systems strategy and accompanying commitments
2 hours -
School Feeding Caterers directed to resume service as schools reopen
3 hours -
The Inconvenient Truth: When We Sink Our Own Ship, We All Drown – A call for Collective Responsibility and Accountability
3 hours -
Ghana’s Finance Minister-designate grilled over tax promises
4 hours -
African Union adopts new strategy for the development of the agricultural sector
5 hours