Nairobi — The Burundian government has expelled a major humanitarian watchdog from the country, saying that it was biased and publishing prejudice material against the country.

Ms Neela Ghoshal, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, based in Burundi's capital Bujambura was told in a letter from the government to stop working immediately and that she must leave the country by early June.

"It is not the first time you are expressing views likely to be prejudicial to government institutions" a letter from the Burundian government to Human Rights Watch said, "the government has no choice but to cancel the privileges accorded to you."

Burundi is holding its second straight presidential elections this June, with local-level elections already underway.

The expulsion comes just days after Human Rights Watch released a massive report documenting political-motivated crimes between the different political parties, specifically targeting poor and armed low-level activists, many of whom have been recruited from former rebel groups.

The New York-based HRW said a week ago that violence in Burundi, if left unchecked, could set back the country's notable strides toward peace and multiparty democracy after years of civil war.

Today, Mr Kenneth Roth, the Executive Director of HRW said in a statement that, "We stand behind the personal integrity and professional work of Neela Ghoshal, who for almost three years has documented human rights abuses in Burundi."

"Her work has been thorough, balanced, and objective."