Preamble:

We believe that the strength and integrity of democratic societies are being tested as never before in the modern era. In an age of unprecedented global connectivity and interdependence, we face new forms of warfare that go beyond borders – not only on the battlefield, but in the information we consume, the institutions we cherish, and the values that bind us. Authoritarian states and extremist actors have learned to exploit the open systems of free nations, injecting poison into our public discourse, subverting our decision-making processes, and even fuelling violence against innocent civilians.

This manifesto is a call to conscience and action. It affirms our core values, identifies the urgent threats posed by state-sponsored subversion and makes the moral case for collective resistance. In doing so, we also reaffirm the importance of solidarity with those on the frontlines of this struggle, from brave activists and journalists to nations like Israel that stand as bulwarks of democracy in challenging regions.

Our core values:

• Defending freedom and human dignity. We believe that every nation’s social contract must be based on the consent of the governed, the protection of fundamental freedoms, and respect for human dignity. Freedom of expression, the rule of law, and the right to life and security are inviolable. When these principles are challenged, whether by terrorist violence or insidious propaganda, we must unite to defend them.

• Truth and accountability are essential. A healthy democracy relies on honesty in public discourse and responsibility for those in power. We advocate for transparency and factual information. In an age where large sums of money and media influence are used to spread falsehoods, we are committed to revealing the truth. This involves exposing hidden influences—highlighting who funds what and ensuring accountability for malicious actors, regardless of their wealth or status. Our societies cannot be genuinely free if secret manipulation and corruption are allowed to thrive.

• Sovereignty and mutual respect. We believe nations must respect each other’s sovereignty and avoid interfering in each other’s political systems. Governments that export extremism, fund non-state militias, or bribe foreign officials breach this principle and pose a threat to international stability. We support Westphalian sovereignty adapted for the 21st century – meaning cyberspace, campuses, and legislatures are protected from covert foreign interference. Simultaneously, free nations have both the right and duty to collectively defend themselves against such interference.

Threats to democratic societies:

• Authoritarian influence operations. From Moscow’s disinformation campaigns to Beijing’s economic coercion, authoritarian regimes today routinely interfere in open societies to weaken their unity and moral clarity. They sow discord, support fringe factions, and aim to make truth relative. Among these, Qatar stands out as a unique hybrid threat – a wealthy emirate that, on one hand, enjoys partnerships with the West, and on the other, funnels money and media support to extremist movements that reject the very democratic values it publicly espouses. Doha’s use of its state-funded broadcaster and petrodollars to spread Islamist extremist narratives and whitewash terrorists is a form of warfare by other means. This presents a fundamental threat: it exploits our liberties to empower the enemies of liberty.

• Terrorism and its enablers. The murderous actions of terrorist organisations like Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban are the antithesis of civilised values. Yet these groups do not emerge or persist in a vacuum – they are supported by states and networks that provide funding, safe haven, and political cover. Chief among these enablers is Qatar, which for decades has offered shelter and funds to jihadist leaders, from Hamas’s political chiefs hosted in luxury in Doha, to Taliban offices, to global Muslim Brotherhood figureheads preaching intolerance on Qatari platforms. This support directly threatens the security of democracies and breaches international norms. We condemn not only the terrorists, but any state that fosters them as clients or proxies. In our view, the hand that funds terror is as culpable as the hand that executes the bombing. We also recognise that by empowering extremists, such regimes endanger moderate and peaceful populations (including their own citizens).

• Corruption of democratic institutions. The threat is not only violent; it is also subtle and internal. We have seen how autocratic regimes attempt to influence democracies – in parliaments, think tanks, universities, and media. The recent corruption scandal in the European Parliament, where investigators allege Qatari agents bribed lawmakers to improve Qatar’s image, serves as a stark warning. If we do nothing, petro-dollars and blood money will undermine the integrity of our institutions from within. When debate in our chambers is distorted by undisclosed payments and lavish lobbying, the policies of free nations can be manipulated to serve unfree interests. We refuse to allow authoritarian influence to become “business as usual” in our democracies.

Our resolve and moral commitment:

• Confronting Malign Actors. We assert that confronting those who undermine democracy is not only a strategic necessity—it is a moral duty. We will not be complacent or neutral in the face of clear evil. Whether a regime employs tanks or television networks, those who deliberately promote hate, violence, and lies must be challenged. Just as past generations opposed totalitarian ideologies, we today stand against the modern spreaders of extremist terror and disinformation. We commit to mobilising all instruments of national and international power—diplomatic, economic, legal—to hold malicious actors accountable. This includes sanctions against officials and entities involved in terror financing, demanding transparency for foreign funding, and, if necessary, re-evaluating alliances or rights to base when partners betray our values (as Qatar’s duplicity forces us to consider). Our friendship is valuable; those seeking to enjoy Western partnership while undermining Western principles must face consequences.

• Supporting democratic allies. We affirm that democracies must stand by each other. An attack on one, whether military, economic, or informational, is an attack on all. In this context, we highlight the plight and resilience of Israel: a fellow democracy that has faced terrorist aggression and diplomatic isolation driven by propaganda for decades. Israel is a frontline democracy confronting jihadist extremism that ultimately threatens free societies everywhere. The brutal Hamas assault of 7 October, 2023, and the global disinformation campaign that followed demonstrate that Israel’s struggle is part of a broader fight between civilisation and barbarism. We make the moral case unequivocally: supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and defeat genocidal terror is defending the democratic principle itself. Those who cynically demonise Israel while excusing terrorists are on the wrong side of history and humanity. We stand with Israel and all democratic nations as they exercise their right to self-defence and work to protect innocent lives.

• Building democratic resilience. Finally, we commit ourselves to strengthening the resilience of our own societies. This involves educating our citizens about influence tactics and deception, so they can resist manipulation by foreign propaganda or extremist ideologies. It includes investing in the cohesion of our diverse communities, so that attempts to divide us along racial, religious, or partisan lines are thwarted. It also means ensuring our laws and norms promote transparency and punish corruption. In short, we pledge to make our democracies “harder targets” – united, informed, and vigilant. By doing so, we honour the gift of liberty passed down to us, and we deny victory to those who seek our failure.

Conclusion:

We issue this charter as a rallying cry. We invite all who share these convictions to join us: governments, organisations, and free citizens worldwide. Together, we will expose the truth, confront the sponsors of hatred, and safeguard the values that uplift humanity. The challenges are great, but our resolve is greater. In defending democracy against its enemies, we affirm life against death, truth against falsehood, and freedom against tyranny. History has shown that when free peoples unite with moral clarity, no enemy, however wealthy or fanatical, can prevail.

We undertake this mission in a spirit of unity and clarity, for the sake of our generation and those to come. The threats are real and urgent, but by recognising them and acting boldly, we will ensure that democracy not only survives but thrives, and that the flame of liberty, once lit, is never extinguished.