U.N. backs Sri Lanka post-war refugee plan

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, May 28 (UPI) -- The United Nations has offered support to Sri Lanka's efforts to deal with large numbers of refugees following the end of the Tamil Tiger war, officials say.

But, some human rights interests and international aid agencies complain that full access to an estimated 300,000 displaced persons in army-run camps is being blocked, the BBC reported Thursday.

Several human rights groups said the U.N. resolution of support ignored claims of abuse by the army and rebels.

The U.N. Human Rights Council said in its emergency session resolution that it backs Sri Lanka's humanitarian efforts as it recovers from its civil war with Tamil rebels but did not mention granting full access to the camps.

Critics said Sri Lanka and its allies had argued it was wrong to criticize a member state just days after it ended a 25-year war.

The final resolution, passed 29 to 12 with six abstentions, welcomes what it calls Sri Lanka's continued commitment to the protection of human rights and urges international financial help for the island nation's reconstruction.

The council recommended that Sri Lanka provide aid groups with "access as may be appropriate" to refugee camps and urged further investigation. It condemned the rebel group for using civilians as human shields, but said the war was a "domestic" matter.