Thank you very much.
First, to address the question with regard to sponsorship, the number of Mandaeans who live in Toronto is around 400 to 500, so in terms of sponsoring, they'd be more than happy to do whatever they can. But be realistic in terms of what their contribution could be for the number of possible refugees that we hope Canada would accept. That would be the issue.
In terms of women--as I said in my opening remarks--Mandaean women have been targeted, and as my colleague here says, it's because they're a minority and they're easy targets. First of all, they don't consider them human, so they use them for pleasure or whatever.
I should refer to my reports. I have a list of Mandaean women who have been kidnapped. Of course, for obvious reasons, we don't disclose the actual names of the women because of the cultural thing in the Middle East. In May 2003, Ms. B.A.Z., a Mandaean girl, was kidnapped and assaulted. Again, in May 2003, Ms. N.S.S., a Mandaean girl, was kidnapped in Baghdad. In July 2, 2003, S.L.R., age 29, was kidnapped in Baghdad and has not been seen since.
The list goes on and on. It's committed every day against Mandaean women. As I said in my opening remarks, we are forbidden to carry arms--we are a very peaceful people--and the government does nothing to protect us.