Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  It's very tough to speak for the Chinese government or to say exactly what it would do. For instance, in the case of the six-party talks, I would say that one of the biggest barriers to progress is the position held by a number of the countries in the group. It's hard. But, as my

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  First off, the government must make itself heard on the issue of human rights in North Korea. That means that both ministers and the Prime Minister need to make their position clear when it comes to human rights in North Korea. That is Canada's position. And we have to be very cl

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I'm sorry, I'm not prepared to speak to that today, but if you wish we can get back to you on that.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  In the first questions that were asked, I think the challenge is access. It's very difficult with a closed country to be able to provide first-hand accounts. We are limited, as my colleague described in the work of some of the United Nations special rapporteur, to accounts of peo

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  What I hear is the thrust of all questions, which is, how do you effect change in North Korea? I think in terms of your questions about the instrumentation—which instrument is going to be more effective, effectively more supported—again, the government's position is that we're go

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  In terms of the government's position with respect to its relationship with North Korea, we have the controlled engagement policy, which limits us to the four areas I've mentioned in my earlier remarks, and that forms the foundation of the government's policy with respect to Nort

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I'm not the expert in responsibility to protect. I am prepared to speak to Canada-North Korea relations, and we're prepared to speak to the commission of inquiry. With respect to how one would want to see change in North Korea, the policy of the government is clear in the sense

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Sir, again I would go back to the triumph of hope over experience. I mean, I think we have to be consistent in our views. We have to be persistent and to clearly have our objective in mind, which is ultimately better treatment of North Koreans. We need key allies to consult with

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I wish I had a way that you could say it would happen tomorrow. I think it certainly is the government's view to be a consistent voice in advocating for the human rights situation of North Korea across the full range of rights. We will need to work with others. South Korea clea

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Well, I'll answer with respect to North Korea. The human rights violations are terrible. They're systemic. The regime is undertaking actions that are clearly detrimental to the health and well-being and the political liberties of its people. From the government's perspective, t

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Professor Cotler, it's beyond what we came here to talk about, which was the situation of human rights in North Korea and a commission of inquiry, which is what we were prepared to speak to.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  It's okay. Maybe what I'll do is talk a little bit about what we're doing with our allies, including the United States. I think that may get, with your permission, to a bit of the kernel of the question, which is a very important question in terms of any contemplation of intern

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  On your first question, 60 years is the armistice next year, in 2013.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  With respect to North Korean refugees and China, we call on the Chinese government to respect its obligations under its international refugee obligations, and obviously that's of concern in terms of how refugees would be treated. With respect to—I don't know what you would call

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Again, I think the government's view is to be clearly in front and leading in terms of what we view the North Korean regime should do to protect the interests of its own people. You raised the issue of height. I am told from reliable sources that the difference is four inches in