Sexual Harassment Accusations Against Brazil’s Human Rights Minister – By Reuters

By Lisandra Paraguassu

BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva dismissed Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida on Friday amidst allegations of sexual harassment made against him by several women, including another member of his cabinet.

Lula’s office stated that the president deemed it untenable to retain Almeida in his position given the serious nature of the allegations. A police investigation is currently underway.

After his dismissal, Almeida, a known advocate for the legal rights of minorities, maintained his innocence and expressed that he had requested to be removed from his role to allow for a thorough investigation. He stated, “It will be an opportunity for me to prove my innocence and rebuild myself … Let the facts be laid out so that I can defend myself within the legal process.”

Previously, Almeida had labeled the allegations as unfounded and “absurd lies” in a video posted on his social media platforms.

Reports indicate that one of the individuals involved in the harassment claims is Anielle Franco, the Racial Equality Minister and a fellow human rights activist. Franco expressed her gratitude to supporters amid the unfolding situation, emphasizing her desire for privacy and stating, “I’ll contribute to investigations whenever I’m called.”

Anielle Franco is the sister of Marielle Franco, a former city council member in Rio de Janeiro who was assassinated in 2018 alongside her driver, a case that gained international attention.

In an interview with a local radio station, Lula commented, “Someone who harasses won’t stay in the government.”

Both Anielle Franco and Silvio Almeida have been part of Lula’s cabinet since he took office in 2023 and are recognized in Brazil for their work in human rights advocacy.