We need to defend principles like democracy, freedom of speech

Democracy, freedom of speech, gender equality, and the rule of law—these are the very pillars upon which the grandeur of nations is built. They are the principles that rise like the sun, illuminating the darkness of oppression and inequality. But to defend them, we must not simply speak of them in the comfort of our own land, where they may be taken for granted. No, the defense of these values requires something more—something greater. Deeyah Khan speaks to us with a voice filled with urgency, calling upon us to rise above our own complacency and to show, through our actions, that these ideals are not just words to be spoken, but truths to be lived.

When she says, "We need to defend principles like democracy, freedom of speech, gender equality, and the rule of law through exemplifying these on a global scale," she speaks not only of defending these principles within our borders, but of carrying them like a banner, a torch to the far corners of the earth. It is not enough for one nation to speak of these values while allowing their erosion within the global community. For, as she warns, the cynical, isolationist policies that have been employed by some in the name of self-preservation have only served to undermine the very essence of what these values stand for. To turn inward is to abandon the cause of justice and equality for all humankind.

Let us turn to history, where we find a stark example of this truth. In the early 20th century, when the world was plunged into the chaos of war, nations such as Britain stood as the guardians of democracy and the rule of law. The people of the British Empire, through their own sacrifices, believed in the ideals of liberty and justice. But in the years that followed, a shift occurred—one of retreat and isolation. The empire, once vast and powerful, began to crumble, and with it, the ideals it had once carried with such pride. Isolationist policies led to the erosion of the very principles that had made Britain a beacon of hope to the oppressed. As nations turned inward, the world grew more divided, and the values of democracy, gender equality, and freedom were overshadowed by self-interest and political gain.

This brings us to the crux of Khan’s message. Defending principles is not a matter of rhetoric alone. It is a matter of action. She calls upon us not to speak of these values in the safety of our homes, but to live them on the global stage, to exemplify them so brightly that they cannot be ignored. It is not enough for one nation to claim these ideals while allowing the suffering of others to persist. We must lead by example, for it is through action that true freedom and justice can be achieved. Let us not be blinded by our own prosperity, but instead, let us stand as champions of these values for all.

Consider the life of Nelson Mandela, whose struggle was not confined to the borders of South Africa, but whose fight for democracy, freedom, and equality echoed across the globe. Mandela’s leadership was not one of isolation but of connection, a call to the world to rise together in solidarity. In the face of immense suffering, he showed the world what it meant to defend the rule of law and the rights of the oppressed. His example was one not just of resistance, but of building bridges, of spreading the seeds of democracy to all corners of the earth. He did not merely speak of freedom, he lived it. And in doing so, he brought others along, lighting a path for the oppressed to follow.

So, what lesson shall we take from the words of Deeyah Khan and the examples of leaders like Mandela? We must look beyond the comfort of our own lands, beyond the borders that separate us from the rest of the world. The battle for democracy, freedom of speech, gender equality, and the rule of law is not one that can be fought in isolation. It requires unity, it requires action, and above all, it requires that we lead by example. Let us be the bearers of this banner, not just within our own lands, but across the globe. We must not allow the forces of cynicism and isolationism to erode what we know to be true: that these principles are not the property of any one nation, but of all humankind.

Let us carry these principles with us, wherever we go. Let our actions speak louder than words. And when we encounter those who seek to turn inward, to forsake the values of democracy and justice, let us remind them that the only way forward is through unity, through exemplifying these ideals with courage and commitment. We are all connected, and the fight for a just and equal world is a fight we must all share. May we rise to the challenge and be the generation that defends what is right, not just for ourselves, but for all.