Pacem in Terris - Human Rights and Duties in Natural Law

The dignity of the human person requires that every man enjoy the right to act freely and responsibly. For this reason, therefore, in social relations man should exercise his rights, fulfil his obligations and, in the countless forms of collaboration with others, act chiefly on his own responsibility and initiative. This is to be done in such a way that each one acts on his own decision, of set purpose and from a consciousness of his obligation, without being moved by force or pressure brought to bear on him externally. For any human society that is established on relations of force must be regarded as inhuman, inasmuch as the per sonality of its members is repressed or restricted, when in fact they should be provided with appropriate incentives and means for developing and perfecting themselves.