Crimes against

humanity during the

World War II
Aristides de Sousa Mendes Action
 Beatriz Rocha
Introduction
By way of context, I will make a brief biographical reference to this world-renowned
historical figure and to whom they have paid tribute for their political and humanistic boldness
in challenging Salazar's dictatorial regime. This brief biographical reference becomes even
more pertinent and imperative, as
Aristides de Sousa Mendes is not as well
recognized in Portugal by young people
who study history, as it is in other
European countries, because the
recognition of his performance only It
appeared twelve years after his death,
1966, at the Holocaust Memorial, where
he was given the title of "Just among the
Nations."

Biographical Note

Aristides de Sousa Mendes was born in Cabanas de Viriato on July 19, 1885. He graduated
in law at the University of Coimbra with his twin brother Cesar. Later he pursued a
diplomatic career and came to serve as consul in several countries including: British Guiana
(Zanzibar), Brazil (Curitiba and Porto Alegre), the United States (San Francisco and Boston),
Spain (Vigo) , Luxembourg, Belgium and finally France (Bordeaux). Married in 1908 to his
cousin Maria Angelina de Sousa Mendes, he had fourteen children. He became known as a
hero for granting about thirty thousand visas to refugees, of which ten thousand were
Jews, and made available his residence in Bordeaux (France) and Cabanas de Viriato
(Portugal) to house refugees. In 1940, Aristides is removed from office and finally returns
to Portugal where he is punished by the government of Salazar. In 1954, Aristides de Sousa
Mendes died in the private hospital of the Third Order of São Francisco da Cidade.
Aristides with some of his sons

Aristides de Sousa Mendes

 Holocaust and the Circular 14
World War II began on September 1, 1939, with the German invasion of Poland. That
same day, António Oliveira de Salazar, the Head of Government and Minister of Foreign Affairs
in Portugal, declared neutrality through an unofficial
press release. Consequently, and even by the Salazar
regime identifying itself with the German regime, the
PVDE (State Surveillance and Defense Police) imposed
the closing of borders on refugees, notably Jews wishing
to flee the concentration camps. Later, in October 1939,
PIDE appealed to Salazar to strengthen the borders, the
dictator agreed and issued “Circular 14”, which ordered
the suspension of visas for refugees, explicitly including
Jews, Russians and stateless persons. This circular
ordered the issuance of visas to these citizens and
others, notably Poles, who were also persecuted by the
Nazi regime, to be approved by the PVDE.

Circular 14

Action of Aristides de Sousa Mendes in the context of World War II

Spain denied visas to Jewish refugees and the only hope for these citizens would be
the Portuguese consulate. In June 1940, Aristides de Sousa Mendes meets the Jewish rabbi
Kruger, who had managed to escape Poland, and promises to do everything in his power to
persuade the Lisbon government of Salazar to withdraw the suspension of visas. . This request
was denied and Aristides de Sousa Mendes made a
decision: he would issue visas without
distinguishing race or religion. Thus, in July 1940,
the consul worked with the help of his children in
issuing visas, thus contradicting the direct orders
of the head of state. Aristides, knowing that the
Portuguese consulates of Bayone and Hendaye
(France) had obeyed and suspended the issuance
of visas, went to these French cities to reverse the
situation and so it was. It is not known exactly how
many visas were issued at the behest of Aristides
de Sousa Mendes, although thousands are spoken.
The punishment for this “crime of disobedience to
the dictatorial state”, namely Circular 14, was to
dismiss this brave man from his role as consul, to
immediately demote him from his status to a
lower rank and to condemn him to compulsory
and early retirement. , aggravated by the
attachment of your salary. In addition, he lost his
right to practice as a lawyer and had too many
Aristides de Sousa Mendes difficulties that led him to a poor, family-free life.
 Late Recognition
Later, his bold and heroic performance in Bordeaux, which challenged the Salazar
dictatorship and endangered his life, is finely recognized worldwide and numerous honors
have been paid to Sousa Mendes, including:

 In 1986, Aristides de Sousa Mendes received the degree of “Official of the

Order of Liberty”. Moreover, the curiosity of his family has received public
apologies from the Portuguese Republic.
 In 1987, another public tribute was paid and the family's pledged salaries were
returned.
 In 1994, Portuguese President Mário Soares raised a bust in honour of this
great man in Bordeaux, as well as a commemorative plaque on 14 Quai Louis-
XVIII Street, the address of the Portuguese consulate in Bordeaux in 1940.
 In 1995 Aristide was awarded the “Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ”
by President Mario Soares.
 In 2016, the “Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty” was elevated by the
President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
 The Association of Portuguese Diplomats Union (ASDP) has created an annual
award with its name

Busto of Aristides Commemorative plaque

Conclusion
In the eyes of our times, given the current drama of refugees, the greatest serious
or serious crime that Portugal refuses to enter refugees. Today it would be considered a
humanitarian crime and something repudiated by the press, the people and humanitarian
organizations. Thus, such an act does not challenge a dictator, but also challenges us today,
that we live in democratic regimes by hearing and revealing a man ahead of his time,
foreseeing democratic values and even later, as well as countries of today defend.

Webgraphy
 https://www.natgeo.pt/historia/aristides-de-sousa-mendes-o-heroi-sem-capa
 Magazine “Visão História”, Nº56- “II Guerra Mundial”