Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I want to express my appreciation to the witnesses. I happen to have a large Filipino constituency as part of my Mount Royal riding, and I'm very much engaged with them on these issues.
You have all spoken about what might be called a culture of impunity in the Philippines, particularly with respect to extrajudicial executions, torture, and forced disappearances.
The Supreme Court of the Philippines in 2007 instituted procedures regarding the writs of amparo and habeas data. These procedures do not appear to have been effective, even though they allow an individual who has been the victim of these violations to seek a judicial remedy.
How can one make the courts more effective, or are the courts really not all that independent? You mentioned also that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is right now being subjected to impeachment proceedings. My question is with regard to the independence of the judiciary. In relation to that, can the courts be made to bring the perpetrators of these violations to account?