Brazilian President Fires Human Rights Minister Over Harassment Allegations

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has dismissed Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida following sexual harassment accusations involving several women, including another cabinet minister. A police investigation is underway. Almeida has denied the accusations, calling them baseless. Minister Anielle Franco is among the alleged victims but has declined to comment.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday fired Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida following accusations that he sexually harassed several women, including another cabinet minister. "The president considers it unsustainable to keep the minister in office considering the nature of the accusations of sexual harassment," Lula's office said in a statement.

A police investigation has been opened, it added. Almeida, an activist for the legal defense of minority rights, denied the accusations in a video on his social media, saying they were "absurd lies" and baseless.

One of the women who was allegedly harassed is the prominent Racial Equality Minister Anielle Franco, local news outlet Metropoles reported, citing 14 people, including government officials and friends of hers. Franco, also a human rights activist, declined to comment when asked about the report. Her sister, former Rio de Janeiro city council member Marielle Franco, was murdered in 2018 together with her driver in a case that was reported internationally.

"Someone who harasses won't stay in the government," Lula said earlier in an interview to a local radio station. Both Franco and Almeida have been in the cabinet since the beginning of Lula's current term in 2023 and are seen in Brazil as important human rights activists.