The tyranny of the majority in a democracy can make it possible for individuals to be sacrificed for the benefit of a larger group. However, it would be possible for a minority to be protected if the conditions of the democractic structure was agreed to beforehand by consensus. If there are those who dissent then they can be placed outside of the democratic structure. Then if a decision arises that takes away from a minority, those in the minority could have a veto option besides their vote.