Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you as well to both witnesses. Your presentations were very interesting.
During the last meeting of this committee, some witnesses spoke at length about prisoners, and whether or not they were political prisoners. What do you think?
My second question will follow up on the answer you provide to my first question about these prisoners, and whether or not they are political prisoners. Professor Ritter, you talked about Official Development Assistance in connection with this issue. In fact, you suggested that Canada should cut off all ODA to Cuba. Other witnesses have suggested suspending ODA to Cuba as long as these prisoners remain behind bars. I would like to hear your comments on that matter.
Ms. Cruz-Herrera, I would like to get your opinion. You seem to be defending the sovereignty of Cuba, and rightly so. From your comments, I gathered that while you recognize that Canada is not necessarily in a position to lecture anyone about human rights, you nevertheless believe that it should exert pressure through democratic means. Are you essentially recommending that Canada put pressure on Cuba through democratic channels or do you believe that it should go so far as to order an embargo?