Thank you very much to the witnesses for being here.
Of course, I very much support the bill that is proposed by my honourable colleague, Professor Cotler. I just want to make a couple of comments and then ask a question.
What I see as the trend is that we are moving toward greater acceptance and recognition of international law, little by little, and I think this adds to it. This breaks down the culture of impunity which many states and many dictators have been able to hide behind for so many years while they massively kill their populations.
I want to know, if this law were in place today, the effect it would have on two specific cases. I want to hear comments from both of you or from whoever feels more comfortable answering.
In the case of Stephan Hachemi, whose mother was killed in Iran, would this give a greater ability for him to proceed civilly against the killers of a Canadian citizen, his mother?
The other case is Duvalier's return to Haiti. I am very much concerned with what is happening in Haiti. There are a lot of Haitians in Canada who suffered under his regime. Would they be able to go after him while he is in Haiti? I think his return is creating even greater instability in that country. I am wondering, if this legislation were in place today, would it help Canadians who are living here do something about it?