A sexual harassment case shakes the Brazilian government. Silvio Almeida, Minister of Human Rights, was dismissed on Friday September 6 while he was accused by several women of sexual harassment.
Lula “summoned him for a meeting at the Planalto Palace” regarding dthe “serious denunciations” made against him, according to a statement released by the presidency. “The president considers that the minister’s continued position is untenable, due to the nature accusations of sexual harassment“, the press release continues.
The scandal broke on Thursday evening, when the Metropoles website revealed that the Me Too Brasil association had received complaints from several women, including another member of the Lula government, Racial Equality Minister Anielle Franco.
Silvio Almeida, 48, explained in a statement on Friday evening that he had “asked President Lula to dismiss (him).”This will be an opportunity to prove my innocence and rebuild myself” he said.
The presidency said that a preliminary investigation had been opened by the federal police, as well than a procedure within the government’s Public Ethics Commission.
Silvio Almeida, 48, vehemently denied the accusations in a video posted on social media, calling them “lies” and referring to a “campaign” to “affect” his “image of a black man occupying a position in view in public authorities”.
After remaining silent, the minister finally reacted after the dismissal of Silvio Almeida.
“It is not acceptable to downplay or minimize episodes of violence. Recognizing the seriousness of these practices and acting immediately is the correct behavior,” she said in a statement, thanking Lula “for his firmness.”
Me Too Brasil confirmed having received the complaints mentioned by Metropoles, explaining that the women concerned had “received psychological and legal support”.
The UOL news site published the testimony of a university professor on Friday who said she was the victim of sexual abuse by the now former minister during a lunch attended by around fifteen people in 2019.
“It was very strange, because there were a lot of people, I was wearing a skirt, and I remember his hand on my private parts“He was pushing, I was ashamed,” she said.
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