In Brazil, President Lula dismisses his minister of human rights, alleged for acts of sexual misconduct.
The president finds it impossible to maintain the minister in his position due to the seriousness of the allegations against him, the presidential office declared on Friday evening. Almeida has vigorously denied any wrongdoing.
On Thursday evening, media outlets reported that MeToo Brasil, an organization that supports women who have suffered sexual abuse, had received complaints of inappropriate behavior by Almeida. The organization confirmed these allegations in a statement.
Anielle Franco, the minister for racial equality and one of the alleged victims, welcomed Lula's decision.
"Recognizing the gravity of this situation and acting promptly is the correct course of action. I commend President Lula's decisive action and appreciate his show of solidarity and support," Franco stated on Instagram late on Friday.
She also defended the victims against any attempts to blame, disqualify, or pressure them into speaking out during painful and vulnerable times, and requested respect for her privacy and personal space. Franco is the sister of the late councilwoman Marielle Franco.
Lula announced on Friday that the public prosecutor's office, comptroller general, and the presidency's ethics commission would investigate the matter, while guaranteeing Almeida the right to a defense.
In a statement on Friday, Almeida said he had requested Lula to dismiss him to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.
"I vehemently reject the false accusations levelled against me, and condemn the campaign to tarnish my image as a Black man in a prominent government position. False accusations are a criminal offense," Almeida stated.
Brazil's first lady, Rosângela da Silva, also known as Janja, is a strong advocate for women's rights and posted a picture of herself kissing Franco on the forehead on Thursday to show her support.
"In cases of sexual violence involving individuals in positions of power, these victims often face difficulties in obtaining institutional support to validate their complaints. As a result, they choose to bring their cases to the public," MeToo Brasil stated in a statement on Thursday.
On Friday afternoon, Isabel Rodrigues, a professor and city council candidate in a municipality of Sao Paulo state, went public with her allegations against Almeida in a video she posted on Instagram. She claimed that Almeida sexually assaulted her in 2019 without her consent.
"What Silvio did was horrific. My therapist is aware. My friends know. I was Silvio's victim. I am a voice for these women. I am fighting for justice and truth," Rodrigues said in the video.
The global attention on MeToo movements led many to express their support for the victims in the Americas. The allegations against Almeida have sparked debates about accountability and justice in the world of politics.
