It’s a miracle I’m alive. My grave could have been unmarked in Romania, but fate had different ideas.
Back in the 1980s, under the oppressive regime of Nicolae Ceausescu, I was a young lawyer focused on uncovering truths amidst a sea of falsehoods. My discoveries pointed me to the Bible, which was banned where I lived. I felt compelled to defend fellow Christians who faced persecution in a hostile environment.
If the United Nations hopes to regain any significance, it must rediscover the bravery that once protected dissidents like me.
For championing this cause, I was kidnapped, interrogated, beaten, and tortured. After months of being under house arrest, I nearly faced execution when a government gunman aimed at me. I escaped and made it to the U.S. as a political refugee.
The Changing Role of the United Nations
In a recent address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump remarked on the UN’s “tremendous potential,” acknowledging that we’re far from realizing it.
When the UN was established in 1945, its mission was noble: to promote peace, security, and human rights globally. It was designed as a forum for genuine dialogue, a leader in humanitarian efforts, and a voice for those who couldn’t speak for themselves.
In its earlier years, the UN successfully accomplished this mission. During the Cold War, it amplified the voices of dissidents under oppressive regimes, sheltering individuals like me who stood up for Christians in communist courts. International support for human rights cases shed light on Ceausescu’s tyrannical rule.
This pressure saved not only my life, but countless others as well.
The Shift to Bureaucracy
Today’s UN seems a shadow of its former self, bogged down by bureaucracy and political corruption. More often than not, it defends those in power rather than the oppressed.
Countless individuals suffer in countries like Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen, while the UN Security Council is paralyzed by procedural disputes. Permanent members tend to protect their allies, use vetoes, and block necessary humanitarian efforts. It often feels like political priorities eclipse moral obligations.
When the very institutions meant to prevent genocide can’t even condemn it, the problem transcends the diplomatic realm—it becomes a spiritual crisis.
A Call for Courageous Reform
President Trump has suggested significant changes to restore the UN’s relevance. He advocates for including permanent members from emerging nations like India, Brazil, Japan, and Germany on the Security Council. This would better reflect current realities and empower more decisive action.
He urges the UN to prioritize global security and counter-terrorism, aligning its mission with the genuine interests of free nations. First Lady Melania Trump also spoke to Congress about the importance of fostering a coalition focused on education, innovation, and child welfare.
Such initiatives could help renew the UN’s moral authority and redirect its focus toward its foundational aim: to protect the vulnerable and hold the powerful accountable.
The Power of Faith
My survival hinged on my faith. When an assassin was sent to eliminate me, he pulled a gun and said, “You ignored all our warnings. I’m here to kill you.”
In that harrowing moment, I prayed fervently: “Lord and Savior, come quickly and save me.” Miraculously, my fear was replaced with peace as I began to share the gospel.
The armed man, confronted with the scriptures, lowered his weapon, turned away, and eventually became a pastor himself, embracing the faith he once sought to extinguish.
The takeaway is clear. Hearts can change—and institutions can, too. But this transformation requires conviction.
If the United Nations is to regain its significance, it must rediscover the courage that once offered refuge to dissidents like me. It should represent not the interests of dictators or bureaucrats, but the cries of the enslaved, oppressed, and forgotten.
I believe God spared my life so I could continue advocating for truth. The UN was once a part of that crucial conversation. It has the potential to be again—if we remember the purpose behind its creation.
