Commemorative Speech: The Legacy of Jamal Khashoggi

Introduction

Today I join millions of people across the world in condemning the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi. I not only mourn the death of Khashoggi as a person, but also as a brilliant and fearless journalist who believed and fought for freedom of expression Saudi Arabia, but also across the world of the Arab world where such freedoms are restricted.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

While I share in the pain of millions of people who are disgusted by what befell our friend Khashoggi, I cannot imagine the pain the family is going through. It is my prayer that no stone will be left unturned in the quest for justice for Jamal, his family, and for the causes that he fought for. To his colleagues and many activists who dared to stand with him for what is right, I express my sympathies for your loss. It must be a hard time.

Freedom of expression does not come easy, and only those with strongest of values and the fearlessness to fight the status quo head-on will enable the world to move into a free society (Waisbord et al. 10). Khashoggi was indeed one of the most fearless people I have ever known and by openly disagreeing with Saudi Arabia authorities, he put his life in danger, yet death did not scare him. He stood for what is right and fought for a freer Saudi Arabia where millions of people, both men, and women, would have the ability to voice their issues without the fear of "punishment" by the state.

It is interesting how warriors are not celebrated at home, and this was indeed the predicament of Khashoggi in his country where he was a hunted man. It is unfortunate that he had to flee his motherland because of simply speaking his mind, and expressing the views that many people of his nation share with him (Fernando and Staff Writers). Rather than being celebrated for his progressive views, he was banished, prosecuted, and ultimately, paid the ultimate price with his life.

Now that he is no longer with us, he continues to speak for freedom even in his death. Firstly, the events surrounding his demise have revealed the brutality that many people not only in Saudi Arabia but also in other nations face from their government. Secondly, it is my wish that his death will stimulate even further debate and discussion on the plight of many Saudis, especially activists and women, who continue to be targeted by the government through executions, long jail terms, and detention without charges.

Conclusion

Consequently, the death of Khashoggi will not be in vain. It is a wakeup call for people of the world to fight for justice for all people who have faced such brutality from dictatorial regimes. It is a call to action for the fight for freedom of expression of people in repressive regimes. If we keep quiet, we will be giving such regimes the license to keep doing their horrible things against innocent people whose mistake was to criticize wrongdoing. The call for action should not only be driven by the media, but other governments across the world should impose sanctions and other restrictions that will push the repressive regimes to give more freedom to the people. With that, I complete for my speech by saying, May Justice be done to Khashoggi."

Works Cited

Fernando, Gavin and Staff Writers. "Killing of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was 'Planned Operation" by a Saudi Death Squad of 18". News.com.au. https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/new-photos-reveal-the-final-hours-of-jamal-khashoggis-life-with-fiancee-hatice-cengiz/news-story/212d89ad554eee6899e0be2b80157ff8. Accessed on 24 Oct 2018.

Waisbord, Silvio, and Howard Tumber. "media and human rights." The Routledge Companion to Media and Human Rights. Routledge, 2017. 1-14.