Fi stqarrija ċ-Chairperson ta’ ADPD-The Green Party Sandra Gauci u d-Deputat Segretarju Ġeneraliu u kandidat Mario Mallia qalu li d-demokrazija hija b’saħħitha daqskemm kapaċi tiċċelebra d-diversità u tagħti spazju lil kulħadd biex jesprimi ruħu b’rispett u b’mod liberu. Huwa inkwetanti, għaldaqstant, tennew il-kelliema, li d-deċiżjoni ta’ Omar Rababah li jikkontesta l-elezzjoni ntlaqgħet b’messaġġi negattivi u saħansitra razzisti minn xi wħud. Id-diversità hija l-pern ta’ demokrazija ħajja. Il-kummenti dispreġjattivi, speċjalment fil-konfront tal-komunitajiet Musulmani, juru kemm bħala pajjiż fadlilna x’naqdfu biex napprezzaw lil xulxin bħala persuni li jixirqilna dinjità ugwali.
Mario Mallia żied li xi nies fil-politika għandhom responsabbiltà kbira x’iġorru, frott attitudni populista li rewħet iktar lil min jehda jagħmel l-esklużjoni, l-mibegħda, s-sens falz ta’ patrijottiżmu, u l-fanatiżmu reliġjuż bħala l-messaġġ ewlieni tiegħu. L-umanità għandha tiġi qabel kull konsiderazzjoni ta’ voti.
Infakkru wkoll li r-razzizmu joqtol. Dan ifakkarulna Lassana Cisse, li nqatel kiesaħ u biered sempliċiment minħabba l-kulur tal-ġilda tiegħu. Ma’ Lassana, tiżdied il-lista twila ta’ nies li jsofru abbuż u sfruttament minħabba t-twemmin jew il-kulur tal-ġilda tagħhom. Inħeġġu lill-klassi politika biex tkun ċara fl-istmerrija tagħha għal kull diskors li jnissel il-mibegħda. Għaldaqstant, il-partit tagħna juri s-solidarjetà sħiħa tiegħu ma’ Omar Rababah, kif ukoll ma’ kull persuna oħra li ssofri l-insulti u t-tajn għax mara, trans, ta’ reliġjon oħra, jew b’ġilda skura.
ADPD-The Green Party jirringrazzja lil tant edukaturi li ta’ kuljum, qed jaħdmu biex dan is-sens ta’ rispett u dinjità jrawmuh fl-imħuħ u l-qlub tat-tfal tagħna. Aħna nibqgħu ninsistu u naħdmu biex jitwassal messaġġ ta’ tama u ta’ inklużjoni, li jieħdu post il-mibegħda u l-esklużjoni. Sabiex Għawdex u Malta jkunu tabilħaqq ċelebrazzjoni tagħna lkoll.
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Solidarity with Omar Rababah
In a statement by Sandra Gauci, ADPD-The Green Party Chairperson (and candidate on districts 6 & 12) and Mario Mallia, Deputy Secretary General (and candidate on districts 2 & 8) insisted that a strong democracy is one that is capable of celebrating diversity in a context of freedom of expression that is respectful of others. It is therefore worrying that Omar Rababah’s decision to contest the general election was met with negative and even racist comments by some. Diversity is the cornerstone of a strong democracy. Disparaging comments, especially those directed at Muslim communities, show how much work remains to be done for us as a country to truly appreciate one another as individuals and communities who deserve equal dignity.
Mallia pointed fingers towards particular politicians who bear responsibility in this regard, through a populist attitude that has further encouraged those who promote exclusion, hatred, a false sense of patriotism, and religious fanaticism as their main message. Humanity should come before any consideration of votes. ADPD-The Green Party also reminded that racism kills.
This is made evident by the case of Lassana Cisse, who was cold-bloodedly murdered simply because of the colour of his skin. Accompanying Lassana, is a long list of people who suffer abuse and exploitation because of their beliefs or the colour of their skin. ADPD urges the political class to be clear in its condemnation of all forms of hate speech. Therefore, it expresses its full solidarity with Omar Rababah, as well as with every other person who suffers insults and vilification because they are a woman, trans, of a different religion, or have darker skin.
We thank the many educators who are working to nurture a sense of respect and dignity in the minds and hearts of our children. We remain committed to promoting a message of hope and inclusion to replace hatred and exclusion. It will continue working so that Gozo and Malta truly become a celebration of togetherness (ilkoll).
