São Paulo, Brazil – Minister of Human Rights Silvio Almeida was fired Friday after allegations of moral and sexual harassment by at least four ministry employees surfaced. Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco was allegedly one of Almeida’s victims.
The case came to light on Thursday after the “Me Too Brazil” movement released complaints made by employees of the ministry. Later, the local press said that Minister Franco had also been a victim of sexual harassment by her government colleague. She allegedly reported the case internally in June, but no action was taken until Me Too Brazil went public.
The news was a bombshell for the federal government, especially given Almeida’s history of defending human rights. A Black man, lawyer, philosopher and professor, Almeida was highly respected among social movements and the left, considered one of the country’s leading experts on racial issues, and was even considered for the Supreme Court last year.
With the repercussions of the allegations, the federal government was forced to act, and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva fired Almeida less than 24 hours later. Lula met with Almeida on Friday afternoon and confirmed his removal from office. “The president considers it unsustainable for the minister to remain in office given the nature of the sexual harassment accusations,” said a statement released by the government.
Before meeting with Almeida, Lula had already said in an interview that anyone accused of sexual harassment could not remain in government. “Someone who commits harassment will not stay in the government. But we must allow the right to defense, the presumption of innocence; he has the right to defend himself,” said the president.
Throughout Friday, Minister Franco also spoke with many government members and, according to local press, confirmed that she had been sexually harassed by Almeida during an official meeting in May 2023. On that occasion, Almeida allegedly touched Anielle’s leg under the table.
So far, she has not publicly commented on the case, neither to confirm nor deny the information involving her name. However, she received public support from other women in the government, such as the Minister of Women, Cida Gonçalves, and First Lady Janja da Silva. Both posted photos with Franco on social media expressing solidarity.
Investigations
The Presidential Ethics Committee, responsible for overseeing the conduct of senior government officials, has opened a procedure to investigate the case and gave Almeida 10 days to present his defense.
The Federal Police also launched an investigation to look into the case in the criminal sphere. Almeida is expected to be summoned to provide clarification in the coming days. He denies the accusations and issued a statement implying that he is being persecuted by people “eyeing his position.”
“I vehemently repudiate the lies being hurled against me. I reject such accusations with the strength of the love and respect I have for my wife and my beloved one-year-old daughter, amid the daily struggle I fight for human rights and citizenship in this country,” Almeida said.