Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First, I want to congratulate you for your testimony today and congratulate you on your doctorate on the prevention of genocide.
As you know, Parliament unanimously adopted a motion to establish a National Day of Reflexion on the Prevention of Genocide, which was inspired by the genocide in Rwanda.
On the matter you spoke about—your concern and proper clarifications in order that we don't give fodder to those who deny the genocide in Rwanda, on the matter of rape as an act of war—you were correct in discussions about that issue, but I just want to also offer a comment on that. In fact, the international criminal tribunals regarding Rwanda and even our own Supreme Court did find that there have been instances when rape was not only a consequence of the genocide but, in fact, was used as an instrument, in certain circumstances, to commit acts of genocide. I don't want to give fodder to those who would say there was no rape as part of genocidal acts.
My question has to do with the important points of your testimony and our subject matter regarding the children of rape, and, in particular, the matter of denial of benefits to children of rape victims. To me, if the state denies legitimacy to the children of rape victims by withholding assistance, that also tends to undermine the capacity for acceptance by the mothers, by the families, and by the community.
I have two particular questions in that regard. Number one, as part of the national process of reconciliation in Rwanda, has the importance of providing benefits and assistance to children of rape come up?
Number two, how can we, as parliamentarians, assist in getting the Rwandan government to provide assistance? As I say that, I realize the problems we have, because Canada withdrew its own assistance from Rwanda in 2012, I think because it felt Rwanda had a 6% growth rate, while in fact 40% of Rwandans are living in poverty. I think we have to correct what we did and renew assistance to Rwanda to better make the case for why the Rwandan government should give assistance.
Could you comment on the issue of assistance? Is it brought up in the reconciliation process, and what can we do in that regard?