Brazilian Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida was reported by several women for sexual harassment before the organization Me Too Brasil, which defends women victims of sexual violence in this South American country. “Me Too Brasil confirms, with the consent of the victims, having received complaints of sexual harassment against Minister Silvio Almeida,” the organization said in a statement.
The news was revealed by the portal ‘Metrópoles’, which indicates that the cases it happened last year, although the NGO did not specify the names, the number of complainants, the type of harassment or when it occurred. “Secret” informationas he said.
According to the NGO, the victims were assisted through the organization’s service channels, which also provided them with psychological and legal support. In the statement, the organization said the victims had authorized what happened to be disclosed to the press by the “difficulties” they had “in obtaining institutional support”which, he said, “typically happens in cases involving ‘attackers in positions of power.'”
“Reporting an abuser in a position of power helps Breaking the cycle of impunity which often protects them. The public complaint reveals abusive behavior which are sometimes concealed by institutions or networks of influence,” says the NGO, stressing that this can lead other victims to “break their silence.”
The complaints were “vehemently repudiated” by Minister Almeida, who indicated in a note that he “perceives” that it is “absurd conclusions” for the sole purpose of harming him. The head of the human rights portfolio stressed that all complaints “must be investigated to the fullest extent of the law, but to do so it is necessary that the facts be exposed, examined, processed and “not just based on lies, without evidence.”
The senior official said the issue was part of a campaign “to affect” his image as a “black man” who holds an important position in public power, and assured that “these measures will not succeed.” Almeida took charge of the Human Rights portfolio in January 2023; He is a lawyer and professor and was president of the Luiz Gama Institute, a human rights organization focused on the legal defense of minorities and popular causes.
Brazilian police to investigate complaints against Silvio Almeida
Police Director General Andrei Rodrigues said in an interview with Globonews channel that They will open an investigation on their own initiative. this Friday and that those involved in the case will probably be heard next week.
According to local media, the alleged victims include: Minister for Racial Equality, Anielle Francowho has not confirmed the accusations, although Brazil’s first lady, Rosângela da Silva, posted a supportive image on social media.
The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva acknowledged the “seriousness” of the accusations on Thursday night and announced that the Ethics Commission of the Presidency of the Republic had opened an investigation into the matter.
Almeida was also called by the Union’s Comptroller General, Vinícius Carvalho, and the Union’s Attorney General, Jorge Messias, for provide clarification, as indicated by the government in a statement.
