Congratulations, Mr. Genuis.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, January 31, 2022, the committee resumes its study of the situation at the Russia-Ukraine border and the implications for peace and security.
It is now my pleasure to welcome two incredibly distinguished witnesses for the purposes of our committee today. First we have Ms. Evgenia Kara-Murza, advocacy coordinator of the Free Russia Foundation, and, of course, wife of unjustly imprisoned Russian opposition leader, Vladimir Kara-Murza.
We also have a second guest, someone who is well known to all the members of this committee. We are incredibly honoured to have Professor Irwin Cotler, our former Minister of Justice and someone who has often shared his expertise with us. Today he is here in his capacity as the founder and international chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and as the special envoy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Community of Democracies on the case of Vladimir Kara-Murza.
Each of you will be provided five minutes for your opening remarks, after which members will have the opportunity to ask you questions.
That being said, I would like to say at the outset that this hearing is starting somewhat late, and unfortunately Mr. Cotler is required to leave at 5:25 because of another engagement and another commitment, while Ms. Kara-Murza can stay with us only until 5:45.
Without further ado, Ms. Kara-Murza, the floor is yours for your opening remarks, for five minutes.