Mr. Chair, I will be brief. I just want to react to what Ms. Fry just told us.
I am not so naïve as to believe that the work of this committee will result in a rapid unblocking of the Lachin corridor, since the people occupying it clearly have no intention of withdrawing quickly.
At the international level, there is a principle called the responsibility to protect. This principle was introduced internationally by a Liberal Prime Minister, Mr. Paul Martin, and was supported by the entire international community, in 2005. I don't think we have the right to sit back and do nothing on the pretext that no matter what we do, it won't change the situation.
I recognize that simply making a statement is likely to be merely symbolic. It would be similar to what was done in the Tibet case: it was a symbolic statement, but it was very important nonetheless.
I believe, quite respectfully, that we need to address this issue and that we have a moral obligation to do so, because a humanitarian crisis is developing.
I am taking the liberty of speaking publicly about a private discussion I had by email with Mr. Oliphant.
We have a moral responsibility to allow members of the committee to have access to the most up‑to‑date and accurate information, regarding what is really going on. We must not simply accept information that is passed on by whoever wants to pass it on to us. Given the information that is being conveyed to the members of this committee and the responsibility we have in terms of the values that we stand for, we have an obligation to meet.
I reiterate that the objective is not to add meetings simply to delay the work of the committee. My colleagues know that I am not in that frame of mind at all: I do not want to delay the work of the committee. On the contrary, I want us to be able to start the session and keep to the program we have set ourselves as closely as possible. I welcome Ms. Bendayan's intervention to this effect. I think it is important that we meet next week. The urgency of the situation requires it, and we must respect our work agenda.