Let’s find out more about some of the incredible people who used their positions to protect others in World War Two.
Carlos Sampaio Garrido was a Portuguese diplomat who helped Jewish people to escape persecution in German-occupied Hungary.
Carlos was born on the 5th of April 1883. He entered the Portuguese diplomatic service and became Portugal’s representative in Budapest.
Following the German occupation of Hungary in March 1944, Jewish families faced danger. Carlos began helping people obtain Portuguese protection. Teixeira Branquinho later continued and expanded this work by issuing protective documents to people with links to Portugal, Brazil or Portuguese territories.
He helped to establish a Portuguese Red Cross office at the legation, providing support and shelter there for refugees.
Carlos went even further by hiding twelve Jewish people in a house he rented outside Budapest. Hungarian police raided the property on the 28th of April 1944 and arrested those inside.
Carlos protested, insisting that the house was protected by diplomatic rights. Although they were detained, his intervention helped to secure their release.
After leaving Budapest, he continued helping from Switzerland by sending names of people who needed protection.
Carlos and Teixeira are credited with helping around 1,000 Jewish people. In 2010, Yad Vashem recognised Carlos as Righteous Among the Nations.
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