Brazilian Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida has been fired after being accused of sexual harassment by several women, including a female minister in the president's government.
President Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva dismissed the Minister of… human rights Silvio Almeida in connection with accusations made against him of sexual harassment of several women, including the head of one of the ministries.
“The president considers it impossible to keep the minister in office, given the nature of the sexual harassment accusations,” Lula's office announced. It added that a police investigation had been launched.
Almeida, an activist for the legal protection of minority rights, said in a statement that he was innocent. He also said he had asked President Lula to resign to give investigators “freedom” to act.
“This will be an opportunity for me to prove my innocence and rebuild trust. Let the facts be established so that I can defend myself in court,” he added. In a video shared on social media, Almeida said the accusations were baseless and “absurd lies.”
Minister among the victims
Brazilian media reported that one of the victims was the Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco. The woman, who is also a human rights activist, thanked those who had shown her support in a statement.
“I ask that my space and my right to privacy be respected,” she said on social media. “I will participate in investigations whenever I am called upon,” she added.
– Someone who molests will not stay in the government – President Lula said earlier in an interview with one of the radio stations.
Main image source: PAP/EPA/Isaac Fontana