I have noted with great concern the decision by the Government of Burundi to declare three members of a group of experts deployed by the United Nations Human Rights Council as personae non gratae and to discontinue the cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bujumbura. We are hearing reports from Burundi of ongoing severe violations of human rights. These crimes must stop and all crimes must be duly prosecuted.

In this regard, I regret yesterday’s decision by the National Assembly of Burundi to leave the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The International Criminal Court stands for the fight against impunity and the investigation of the most serious crimes.

In the fundamental interests of the people in Burundi, I call on the Government of Burundi to continue working closely with the international human rights institutions.