Brazilian Human Rights Minister Fired for Sexual Harassment Allegations

Brazilian Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida was dismissed from his position following multiple accusations of sexual harassment from women, prompting a police investigation. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s office stated that the nature of the allegations made it impossible to continue his role.

Accusations and Reactions

MeToo Brasil received reports of misconduct by Almeida, with Brazilian Racial Equality Minister Anielle Franco being one of the accusers. Franco thanked supporters on Instagram and called for privacy during the investigations. Another woman, Isabel Rodrigues, accused Almeida of inappropriate behavior in 2019, leading to further outrage.

Denial and Consequences

Almeida refuted the claims as “absurd lies” and expressed his desire for a fair legal process to prove his innocence. President Lula emphasized the importance of addressing harassment promptly. Both Almeida and Franco, known activists, have been prominent figures in the government since 2023.