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Associated Press

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has fired Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida following reports he engaged in sexual misconduct, the presidential palace said in a statement on Friday evening.
“The president considers keeping the minister in his position to be unsustainable considering the nature of the accusations,” the statement said. Almeida has denied any wrongdoing.
Local media outlets reported Thursday night that MeToo Brasil, an organisation that defends women victims of sexual violence, had received complaints of sexual misconduct by Almeida. The organisation confirmed that in a subsequent statement.
The minister for racial equality Anielle Franco – who the press named as one of the alleged victims – saluted Lula’s decision.
“Recognising the seriousness of this practice and acting immediately is the right course of action, which is why I would like to highlight President Lula’s forceful action and thank him for all the expressions of support and solidarity,” Franco said in a statement on Instagram late on Friday.
She also shot back at attempts to “blame, disqualify, embarrass or pressure victims to speak out in moments of pain and vulnerability,” adding a request that her space and right to privacy be respected. Franco is the sister of slain councilwoman Marielle Franco.
Lula previously said on social media Friday that the public prosecutors’ office, comptroller general and the presidency’s ethics commission would investigate while guaranteeing Almeida’s right to a defence.

In a statement on Friday, Almeida said he had asked Lula to dismiss him “to grant freedom and impartiality to the investigations, which must be carried out with the necessary rigour.”
Almeida said in a statement last night that he repudiates “with absolute vehemence the lies” claimed about his behaviour, and denounced a “campaign to tarnish my image as a Black man in a prominent position in government.” He also warned that false accusations are a crime.
Brazil’s first lady Rosângela da Silva – known as Janja – is a prominent voice for the defence of women’s rights, and on Thursday posted a picture on her Instagram account of her kissing Franco on the forehead, in a sign of support.
“As often happens in cases of sexual violence involving aggressors in positions of power, these victims faced difficulties in obtaining institutional support to validate their complaints,” MeToo Brasil said in a statement on Thursday. “As a result, they allowed the case to be confirmed to the press.”
Friday afternoon, Isabel Rodrigues, a professor and a city council candidate in a municipality of Sao Paulo state, posted a video on Friday on Instagram with the aim of adding her testimonial to those of the yet-unnamed women. She said Almeida sexually assaulted her in 2019, putting his hand up her skirt and touching her genitals without her consent.
“It was horrible what Silvio did. My therapist knows. My friends know. I was Silvio’s victim. I am a voice for these women. For justice and for the truth,” she said.


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Americas and the Caribbean

Brazil’s Lula fires human rights minister accused of sexual misconduct

Brazilian Minister of Human Rights Silvio Almeida was fired after allegations he sexually harrassed several women. File photo: AFP

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) says he dismissed Silvio Almeida pending an investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct. The human rights minister has denied all wrongdoing. File photo: AFP

Indian state passes law seeking death penalty for rape, after doctor’s murder sparks protests

Junior doctors protest to demand the resignation of a city police commissioner and condemn the rape and murder of a doctore, in Kolkata. Photo: AFP

French pensioner on trial for drugging wife, allowing 50 men to rape her

A wonan arrives at the courthouse before the trial of a man accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in the south of France. Photo: AFP

Gisele P. (right) sits beside her daughter Caroline Darian (centre) and her son (left) during the trial of her husband accused of drugging her for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her. Photo: AFP

Beatrice Zavarro, lawyer for the accused Dominique P. Photo: AFP

News

World

Americas

Brazil’s president dismissed his human rights minister after allegations Silvio Almeida harassed several women


Brazil’s president dismissed his human rights minister after allegations Silvio Almeida harassed several women.


Brazil

Sexual harassment and assault

Human rights

Women and gender