New Delhi: Terming terrorists as enemies of an open society, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi on January 22 asked Parliamentarians to help their governments in bringing necessary Legislative measures to fight terrorism and build consensus to safeguard Democracy from "forces trying to destroy its foundations".

"We as Democracies must combat this menace. As Parliamentarians, we can help our respective governments in bringing necessary Legislative measures, also taking into account the UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (adopted after September 11, 2001), and unitedly fighting the terrorist menace," he said addressing the inaugural function of the International Parliamentary Conference.

Recalling the December 13, 2001, attack on the Indian Parliament, the September 11 strikes in the US and the terrorist attacks in Moscow and Bali, he said these acts demonstrated that Democracies and plural and open societies were particularly vulnerable.

"Strengths of Democracy, freedom of speech and movement, respect for an individual, are exploited by terrorists who are enemies of an open society," he said, adding the redeeming factor was the global commitment to fight terrorism.

He said the need of the hour was for Parliamentarians to help build consensus to safeguard Democracy from forces trying to destroy its foundations. "Let us all come together to collectively confront terrorists and their collaborators. With our determination and united efforts, we can and we will win this war against terrorism."

PTI