(CNN) The European Union has recalled the head of its delegation to Tanzania because of what it calls a "deterioration of the human rights and rule of law" in the east African nation.

The EU -- a major donor to Tanzania that has pledged more than $700 million in support between 2014 and 2020 -- said in a statement that it would be conducting a broader review of its relations with the country.

The move to withdraw its ambassador, Roeland van de Geer, comes after severe international criticism over a crackdown on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Tanzanians.

According to activists speaking to CNN, the crackdown has forced many gay citizens into hiding or to flee the country.

In related news, 10 men have been arrested on suspicion of being gay on the semi-autonomous Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, according to Amnesty International . The men were arrested over the weekend in a raid at Pongwe Beach on the island.

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