Today ADPD commemorates Raymond Caruana, who was killed 37 years ago on 5th December 1986. ADPD – The Green Party Chairperson Sandra Gauci together with Secretary General Ralph Cassar and Deputy Chairperson Mina Jack Tolu marked this day at the cemetery in Gudja where Raymond Caruana is laid to rest.
“It is critical to remember these tragic moments in Malta’s political history as they remind us of the importance of true democracy that goes beyond the tribalism that unfortunately characterises Maltese politics. Tribal partisanship is not based around discussion and debate of ideas and policies, but it is based on incitement of hatred and the justification of “us-them” politics.
Unfortunately the culture of intolerance, violence and hatred is still with us and now also rife on internet and social media. The murders of Raymond Caruana, Karin Grech and Daphne Caruana Galizia teach us to stay vigilant against those who share hatred that can become violence and killings.
It is important to remember these stories and others to keep in mind that dialogue and discussion have to be and remain at the centre of democratic processes. We should never allow violence and actions of hatred, including bullying online, to raise their heads.
Another phenomenon which can be observed, which also led to the murder of migrant worker Lassana Cisse in 2019 is the hatred which is also spread by politicians against vulnerable workers with the intention to make political gains. This politically-motivated hatred is one we will continue to fight against.
Party members and supporters who want this kind of political violence – both physical and psychological – against others should not be encouraged and egged on – but should be shown the door.”
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ADPD issejjaħ għal viġilanza kontra l-mibegħda u l-vjolenza li tista’ twassal għal qtil
Ilum erġajna qed infakkru l-anniversarju ta’ meta fil-5 ta’ Diċembru 1986, 37 sena ilu, inqatel Raymond Caruana. Iċ-Chairperson ta’ ADPD – The Green Party, Sandra Gauci, flimkien mas-Segretarju Ġenerali Ralph Cassar u d-Deputat Chairperson Mina Jack Tolu, fakkru dan l-anniversarju fiċ-ċimiterju tal-Gudja propju fejn hu midfun Caruana.
Qalu li huwa importanti li nibqgħu niftakru dawn il-ġrajjiet traġiċi li jfakkruna fuq l-importanza tad-demokrazija vera lilhinn mit-tribaliżmu bla raġuni li tikkaratterizza l-politika Maltija. It-tribaliżmu mhux ibbażat fuq id-diskussjoni u fuq il-konfront tal-ideat, imma huwa bbażat fuq it-tkeskis, u fuq il-ġustifikazzjoni ta’ mġieba politika ħażina ‘għax dak jew dik magħna’.
L-intolleranza, l-vjolenza u l-mibgħeda – daż-żmien anke fuq l-internet u l-media soċjali, sfortunatament għadhom magħna. Il-ġrajjiet tal-biża’ u l-qtil ta’ Raymond Caruana, Karin Grech u Daphne Caruana Galizia, jgħallmuna li għandna nibqgħu viġilanti għal min ixerred il-mibgħeda li tinbidel f’vjolenza u qtil.
Importanti li niftakru f’dawn il-ġrajjiet u oħrajn, biex inżommu f’moħħna li d-djalogu u d-diskussjoni għandhom ikunu u jibqgħu l-pern tal-proċess demokratiku. Il-vjolenza u azzjonijiet li jwasslu għaliha, inkluż il-mibgħeda u t-theddid online, qatt ma jistgħu jitħallew jgħollu rashom.
Fenomenu ieħor li qed naraw, li anke wassal għal qtil ta’ ħaddiem immigrant Lassana Cisse fl-2019 huwa t-tixrid tal-mibgħeda anke minn politiċi, kontra ħaddiema vulnerabbli għal skopijiet ta’ gwadann politiku. Anke din il-mibgħeda hija motivata politikament. Din it-tip ta’ mibgħeda wkoll irridu nibqgħu niġġildulha.
Il-partitarji u sostenituri tal-partiti li jridu din it-tip ta’ politika ta’ vjolenza kemm fiżika u kemm psikoloġika kontra bendmin oħra għandhom jitwarrbu u mhux jiġu nkoraġġiti.