Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has dismissed his Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Silvio Almeida, following serious allegations of sexual harassment made by multiple women, including a fellow minister. The decision underscores the government's zero-tolerance stance on misconduct.
Almeida's departure comes after a year and eight months in office, amid claims from at least 14 women, which have been brought to light by the Me Too Brazil movement. The allegations include inappropriate behavior and verbal expressions of a sexual nature, with Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco confirming her experience of harassment.
In response to the allegations, the federal police have initiated a preliminary investigation, and the government's public ethics committee has also launched its own inquiry. Almeida has vehemently denied the accusations, asserting that they are part of a campaign against him.
