Pope says fight against terrorism must respect human rights

Democratic societies have the right to defend themselves against terrorism but must respect laws and human rights in their struggle – or risk endangering the very freedoms they seek to protect, Pope Benedict XVI said today.

“In democratic systems, the use of force in a manner contrary to the principles of a constitutional state can never be justified,” the pope said at an audience with members of the Centrist Democrat International, an association of centre-right parties from around the world.