Swedish Schutzpass
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Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat in Nazi-occupied Hungary. He and his staff issued schutzpasses to over 30,000 Jews in Budapest. A schutzpass was a protective document issued by a neutral country. It gave Jewish holders the protection of the Swedish crown and prevented them from being deported to death camps. This schutzpass was given to Irene Vilscek and her daughter Erika. It allowed them to seek shelter in a Swedish-owned safe house.
The Nazis and Hungarian collaborators murdered around 20,000 Jews during the Siege of Budapest in 1944. Irene and Erika survived because of this schutzpass.
Donated to the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre by Erika Fleischer. 93.07.0045
Transcript
[A partial translation from the original Hungarian.]
PROTECTIVE PASS
Mrs. Ernest Vilscek
Born Irene Hirsch
Place of Residence: Budapest
Date of Birth: 27. February 1913
Place of Birth: Budapest
Height: 177 cm
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Brown
Erika Vilscek born 28 Sept 1937 Budapest
Sweden
The Royal Swedish Embassy in Budapest confirms that the above – mentioned in the context of authorization of the Royal Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – will travel to Sweden for repatriation. The person in question is also in a collective passport.
Until departure for the above and his apartment are under the protection of the Royal Swedish Embassy in Budapest.
Validity: expires 14 days after entry into Sweden
Travel authorization only with the collective passport. Entry visa is only in the collective passport.
Budapest, this 24 August 1944