Brazil - September 2024

Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida has been dismissed from office following multiple accusations of sexual harassment that have shaken the government and caused public outrage. The scandal surfaced when the NGO, Me Too Brazil, received several complaints against the minister. Among the high-profile individuals accusing Almeida is Anielle Franco, head of the Racial Equality Ministry. Shortly after the accusations became public, the government decided to remove Almeida from his position, stating that keeping someone in office while facing such serious allegations would be incompatible with its commitment to defending women's rights. The president also announced that the accusations would be investigated by the federal police. Almeida, a renowned academic and leading voice in the fight against racial inequality in Brazil, was appointed Human Rights Minister by President Lula Da Silva in 2022 and enjoyed wide support from civil society before the accusations emerged. He has denied all accusations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.

Sources:  Presidência da Republica, El Pais, Me too Brasil, Metropoles