Subcommittee on International Human Rights Committee on March 29th, 2007

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Chairman, that was the initial objection that was raised in December, that more time was needed. I concurred at the time, and we're now talking about four months later. It is not as if no notice was given, nor was supporting documentation not provided at the time.

Mr. Khan may not have been a member at the time and did not have that information, which I have provided to him now. But as I said, that was circulated then.

I took the position then that I concurred with the views of this committee that they wanted more time to address it and that they wanted to hear witness testimony. So I think that four months later we have had time to consider and we have had the witness testimony.

[The Chair, Conservative, Jason Kenney]

Ms. St-Hilaire, and then Mr. Silva.

Please be brief, because we have to finish on time.

[Caroline St-Hilaire, Bloc, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

This is not a trivial motion.

Canada initiate a state-to-state complaint under the Genocide Convention against Iran in the International Court of Justice for its incitement of genocide.

Mr. Cotler, I understand that you would very much like to see this motion passed but, for me, passing this kind of motion is not a trivial matter. We heard from three witnesses in the Sub-Committee, and now you are asking us to take a position. I have to say that I am very uncomfortable with the idea of our being asked to pass such a motion after hearing from only three witnesses. I understand your intent and I consider it to be extremely commendable. However, the Security Council is currently reviewing this matter. Why should the Sub-Committee take a position today on this? Quite honestly, I do not see this as being a trivial matter and I am somewhat concerned. I would have preferred that we table this, rather than having to vote against it this morning.

[The Chair, Conservative, Jason Kenney]

“Tablette”? That's a new word for me.

[Caroline St-Hilaire, Bloc, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

Oh, really? Well, that's it

[Kevin Sorenson, Conservative, Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Chair, given that it's 11 o'clock now and that our main committee is meeting--it's a televised committee--I move that we table this until the next meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Jason Kenney]

There's no debate on a motion to table.

(Motion agreed to)

[Irwin Cotler, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I just want to say that in light of the discussion, I'm going to somewhat revise this motion to put in more particulars and give another notice of motion, because if it passes and goes to the full foreign affairs committee, they might not realize the discussion we had here by way of background.

[Kevin Sorenson, Conservative, Crowfoot, AB]

That's good.

[The Chair, Conservative, Jason Kenney]

Thank you, all. It's been a very good meeting. Thanks, everyone, for your cooperation.

This meeting is adjourned.