Thank you very much, Mr. Chair and members, for allowing me to speak to you today.
I want to be brief, but I think Phillip McDowell has been very compelling in what he had to say to you.
I would simply say the fact that the courts have decided that these people are technically not convention refugees doesn't end the matter. The Canadian people have the right to amend their legislation or otherwise change procedures in such a way as to allow conscientious people, conscientious objectors, as most of them were found to be by the courts, to remain in this country.
The war in Iraq was initiated in violation of international law. It was not defensive in nature and it did not have UN Security Council approval. As well, we know that torture is widespread in Iraq, and we know as well that the Military Commissions Act of 2006, the U.S. legislation, essentially made it impossible for anyone to be convicted for applying torture to Iraqi civilians. Applying torture or ordering torture is not illegal pursuant to that act. There are many solid reasons for not wanting to be associated with a policy like this.
Mr. McDowell and other people in this room, ladies and gentlemen, were betrayed. They were betrayed by the President of the United States, who lied to them about the basis for the war, lied to them about what supposedly were the threats to their country, and used them as pawns in an illegal war.
I say to you that you have the opportunity and, with respect, you have the obligation to ensure that for people of good conscience--Phillip McDowell, who went to a Catholic university and is quoting Catholic doctrine of just wars to you, or the Quakers in the room, or others--you not just apply a technical understanding and say since they're not convention refugees, to heck with them.
I say to you that the Canadian public will not accept this. I ask you in all conscience to ensure, to the best of your abilities, that these people are allowed to remain in Canada.
I will add one thing. Section 25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, IRPA, says that people can make applications on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. It includes the consideration of public policy--for reasons of public policy.
I understand the two witnesses who were here before don't want the law changed in any way, and they don't even want this committee to tell them that as a matter of public policy nobody should be removed while their humanitarian and compassionate applications are being considered. Take into account the fact that these people are conscientious objectors to an illegal war.
Thank you.