Evidence of meeting #2 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 40th Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was witnesses.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
We will continue our proceedings of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights.
Mr. Silva, please.
Liberal
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the members of the committee. I have spoken to the members of the committee in relation to the motion that I will be putting forward. It's the new motion in relation to the Bahá'ís and the seven individuals of that faith who have been arrested without charge and are facing grave persecution in Iran.
It would be very important for this committee to move forward with this motion and show our solidarity and support, and unanimously support the motion put forward.
Conservative
David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON
I'm actually 100% in favour of this motion as it is and I'd be prepared to vote for it. It goes counter to Mr. Cotler's comment, and I apologize for that, but because of the nature of the situation and because I understand the power of this committee just by having hearings that are public, I'm wondering if we can have some witnesses from the Bahá'í community as soon as possible to speak to this issue as well. These charges mean the very life of these people who are involved, should they be prosecuted and found guilty. Of course we know the record of the Government of Iran.
NDP
Wayne Marston NDP Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON
It is critical to get something out of this committee today on this particular issue. I have no problem with witnesses at another time, but for the sake of these people.... Because justice, or what appears to be justice, moves very rapidly in that country.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Any further comment?
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Conservative
David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON
Can I just ask you one more thing? At this Thursday meeting, could I seek consent that we have some witnesses from the Bahá'í community here and we can talk about planning again at a different meeting?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Do you want to have Bahá'í witnesses on Thursday, or do you want to discuss having them on Thursday?
Conservative
David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON
I'd like to call them. I think we're well aware of who represents the Bahá'í community in this city. If we can't, if they're not available, then that's another story, but I think we should attempt it because of the seriousness of the situation.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
All right, let's ask the question.
Is there a willingness to try to do that, or would people prefer to...?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
In that case, we'll do that, and we'll try to deal with our scheduling items.
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC
I agree with this. I just want to extend the thinking of Mr. Sweet. In terms of prioritizing, I think he was correct in what he said before. In my view, Iran today is the single greatest threat to international peace and security in a variety of ways. I think we should consider having hearings on what I would call the danger of a nuclear, genocidal, and rights-violating Iran. In each of those three areas, it represents a threat to international peace and security. We should therefore think of that as a priority area, to have hearings across the board touching on those subject matters.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Do you need us to stay in meeting in order to take care of that, or can I gavel us shut?
There are two motions for Mr. Silva? There is just the one.
Conservative
Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC
I would just support Mr. Sweet's suggestion that we have witnesses here on Thursday. Do you think that's possible?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
It's doable. We've all agreed to it. The question is who they are. The clerk is just trying to find out who they are. Mr. Silva has some names.
Mr. Silva.
Liberal
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
I can provide the name I have--Susanne Tamas. She is the national director. She can provide other names, but she would be the person who's most informed on this issue.
I don't know if Mr. Cotler has any other names.