Pope condemns use of torture to extract intelligence -13/12/05

In what many will see as a clear reference to the alleged use of torture by the US in the context of the 'War on Terror' and the invasion of Iraq, the Pope has said that war should not be an excuse for disregarding international humanitarian law. The message from Pope Benedict came in an annual peace message today (Tuesday) for the Church's World Day of Peace, celebrated on Jan. 1.

The message comes just a few days after the House of Lords made a landmark ruling that intelligence obtained under torture even in a third country cannot be used as evidence in British courts. Coming at a time when questions are being asked in the UK and around the world about the use of torture, particularly by the US, the Pope said that countries have a duty to respect international humanitarian law - even if they consider that they are at war. "The truth of peace must also let its beneficial light shine even amid the tragedy of war," he said.

In the 12-page message, called "In Truth, Peace", he said the Holy See was convinced international humanitarian law had to be respected "even in the midst of war". Whilst condemning terrorism he said the world community should also look deeper into its political, social, cultural, religious and ideological motivations. The Pope did not name any countries or wars but his words followed controversy over reports of abuse of prisoners by the United States in Iraq and at Guantanamo Bay, reports the Reuters news agency.

But Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Vatican's Justice and Peace department, told reporters at the presentation of the message that the Pope's words applied to all wars. Asked if Iraq was included, he said: "That's correct." In his message, the Pope called international humanitarian law one of the finest expressions of truth. "Precisely for this reason, respect for that law must be considered binding on all peoples," he said. International humanitarian law "must be brought up to date by precise norms applicable to the changing scenarios of today's armed conflicts and the use of ever newer and more sophisticated weapons", he added. Washington says the Geneva Convention does not apply to foreign captives in its war on terrorism, but human rights activists say it is still bound by the 1984 U.N. Convention against Torture to which it is a signatory. Asked if the Church could condone torture as a means to stop terrorist attacks, Martino said: "Torture is a humiliation of the human person, whoever he is. The Church does not admit it ... there are other means to make people talk."