Speaker. in July 1940. Dr. Aristides de Sousa Mendez. while the Portuguese Consul to Bordeaux. France. Issued over 10.000 visas to Jewish refugees in direct disobedience to his governments Instructions. He had been instructed by his Foreign Secretary to deny visas to Jewish refugees of any nationality. He obeyed his conscience. putting God before man. Few of the thousands of Jewish refugees he saved ever knew of the suffering endured by the diplomat and his family. Dr. de Sousa Mendez was recalled to Lisbon. fired. and disciplined. This punitive response subjected Dr. de Sousa Mendez and his family to incredible hardships.
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visas refugees