France between 1938 and 1940 when the German armies were conquering Europe. At that time. France became the home of European refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. When the French Republic collapsed in June 1940. thousands of refugess fled invading armies by going south to Bordeaux. Many of those refugees were Jews. The only escape route for these individuals was over the Pyrenees Mountains through Spain to neutral Portugal. As a Portuguese diplomat. Dr. de Sousa Mendes was given specific orders by the government of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar not to issue visas to refugees. But in defiance of his governments orders. Dr. de Sousa Mendes issued more than 30.000 Portuguese visas to stranded refugees. At least 10.000 of these refugees were Jews who were saved from almost certain death by Dr. de Sousa Mendes humanitarian gesture. Although Portugal later received international praise for its humanitarian treatment of Jewish and other refugees during World War II. Dr. de Sousa Mendes suffered for his acts of kindness and graciousness. For issuing these visas. he was recalled to Lisbon and was dismissed from the Foreign Service. Unable to practice law and barred from diplomatic service. he died in poverty in 1954. Dr. de Sousa Mendes was a man of rare courage. Recognizing that the lives of thousands of desperate refugees were in his hands. he dared to help. At great personal risk and sacrifice. he followed his conscience and issued visas for these stranded individuals. He is one of the few righteous who stands out in that dark period in world history as a hero. A hero who stood for humanity. dignity. and respect.
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visas refugees