Editor
“Aristides de Sousa Mendes was a beacon of braveness, compassion, and conviction in a world of complete ethical collapse,” stated Mr. Guterres in a video message to inaugurate the Aristides de Sousa Mendes Museum within the city of Carregal do Sal.
Aristides de Sousa Mendes was a Portuguese diplomat primarily based in Bordeaux, France, who defied his personal Government’s orders to stamp passports and visas that allowed 1000’s to flee on to Portugal.
Safe passage
A Portuguese visa allowed them protected passage via Spain, which was formally impartial. However, the notorious Portuguese ‘Circular 14’ directive instructed diplomats to disclaim protected haven to refugees, explicitly Jews, Russians, and different stateless individuals who couldn’t return dwelling.
As the Nazis shortly approached the Bordeaux consulate the place Mendes was working, he confronted a stark selection between following orders or saving lives. He selected the latter, declaring “I’d slightly stand with God in opposition to Man than with Man in opposition to God.”
‘Lives saved and lives lived’
Working day and evening, Mendes established a fast system to stamp and signal passports and subject 1000’s of lifesaving visas in June 1940.
“His legacy is lives saved and lives lived – together with a younger woman who, years later, would turn out to be the mom of my very own Spokesperson on the United Nations,” stated the UN chief, who served as Prime Minister of Portugal between 1995 and 2002.
Mr. Mendes was compelled to pay for his heroism. Portuguese dictator António de Oliveira Salazar – who dominated the nation for forty years as much as 1968 – expelled him from the diplomatic corps with none pension, leaving him to die in poverty.
Thankfully, within the a long time since, the magnitude and bravado of his actions have been regularly recognised, stated the Secretary-General.
“This museum – in his ancestral dwelling – is a important a part of these efforts,” Mr. Guterres confused.
The reminiscence of Mendes
The inauguration of the museum comes at a “very important time,” because the variety of individuals compelled to flee their properties has reached a report excessive and “hatred and intolerance are rife,” Mr. Guterres famous.
“We are prone to forgetting our shared humanity,” he emphasised.
In this context, Mr. Guterres is looking on individuals in every single place to be impressed by the reminiscence of Mr. Mendes and take braveness from his bravery.
“Let us decide to defend human rights and dignity for all. And to face up in opposition to discrimination, intolerance, and hate each time and wherever they seem,” the Secretary-General stated.
