Internet trolls urge Nationalist MP to kill himself
'Politicians are human beings too'
Nationalist MP and candidate Darren Carabott has called out hateful comments urging him to commit suicide, and appealed to those responsible to seek help if they have problems.
He said he had received the comments on Facebook beneath a video where he explained a PN electoral commitment.
Carabott, the party spokesman on home affairs, said he worried about the impact which such comments had on people close to him, particularly his family.
"Imagine how they must feel when reading this stuff, some people forget politicians are human too," he said.
It was understandable, particularly in an electoral campaign, that people had different views, but they should be responsible in their comments, he said. And people going through problems should seek help. Such bullying comments were simply unacceptable.
Those who came out in support of Carabott included Sabine Agius Cabourdin, a lawyer and philanthropist who last year was tasked with overhauling the PN’s finances and who herself has been a target of hateful comments.
"Beyond politics, beyond campaigns and tribalism, this touches something profoundly human, she wrote on Facebook.
"For years, through the FIDEM Foundation, I have worked closely with people struggling with mental health. I have also supported people who were suicidal in finding the help they needed. I have seen families terrified of losing someone they love. I have seen teens bullied so severely that they turned to self-harm. Teens who have also tried to end their lives. I have seen how powerful words can be both the ones that heal, and the ones that wound. Mental health is not a joke. It is not weakness. And it should never become political ammunition.
"Only yesterday, I met colleagues from the Labour Party at an event. People I respect. Human beings, just like all of us. And as we exchanged a few words, one thing struck me, many of us are simply tired. Because campaigns are hard. The pressure is real. The attacks can become deeply personal. It is okay to disagree fiercely, criticize harshly. Tear apart proposals if you want, butcher them, mock them. That is democracy. But the moment we tell another human being to end their life, we have lost something far bigger than a political argument. There are only 10 days left. Let us not lose our humanity now. This is also a moment for all public figures to reflect on the tone we set. People often follow the example placed in front of them."
She ended her note by wishing a 'Happy birthday in heaven' to Karl Gouder, the former PN official who died last year in tragic circumstances.