Respect international human rights law, even at times of war, urges Pope

Vatican City – Wars are no excuse for human rights abuses and all nations are duty–bound to respect international humanitarian law even if they are at war, Roman Catholic head, the Pope Benedict XVI has urged.

Speaking on the occasion of the Church's World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1, the Pope appealed for worldwide nuclear disarmament and said countries considering acquiring such weapons should "change their course" and the world community should look deeper into its political, social, cultural, religious and ideological motivations.

"The truth of peace must also let its beneficial light shine even amid the tragedy of war," he said, re–enforcing his stand by quoting from another Vatican document that said "not everything automatically becomes permissible between hostile parties once war has regrettably commenced."

In the 12–page peace message, titled, "In Truth, Peace", the pontiff said that the Holy See was convinced international humanitarian law had to be respected "even in the midst of war."

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.

According to Reuters, the reports of human rights abuse have incensed U.S. adversaries and alienated some allies. Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice came under pressure in Europe over reports of secret CIA prisons on the continent.