Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First, I would like to thank the steering committee for letting me introduce the motion now before you.
The motion deals with the stoning of young men and young women in Afghanistan. The Standing Committee on the Status of Women has passed this motion unanimously, and the members of that committee have asked me to present it to the bodies discussing the situation in Afghanistan. I am therefore presenting it to this committee and I will also be presenting it to the Afghanistan follow-up committee.
The motion asks the government to take the necessary action to put an end to stonings in Afghanistan, for any number of reasons. Just recently, on YouTube, we could watch two young people being stoned because they wanted to get married and their families were opposed. The families decided to stone them to death. It is a most barbaric practice.
I know that this a symbolic gesture, but I discussed it with the steering committee this morning and everyone was in favour. On behalf of those young men and young women, therefore, I ask you to pass this motion, one that will be submitted to the House by other committees, including status of women.
Thank you in advance for your trust in me. I ask you to lend your support to this motion.