Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, honourable senator, and for reminding this chamber of the tragedy and horror being perpetrated against the Rohingya people.

I do not know what the status is of the government’s deliberations on this matter. I will make inquiries and report back.

Hon. Marilou McPhedran: Honourable senators, in introducing my question about Rohingya people, I want to thank Senator Ataullahjan for her question and statement today on desperate Afghans.

Senator Gold, following the theme of Canada stepping up and leading on human rights, when will Canada follow the United States in its declaration last week that the murder, rapes, torture and destruction of entire Rohingya communities amount to genocide and crimes against humanity?