Brazilian Minister Silvio Almeida, in Brasilia, on November 23, 2023. EVARISTO SA / AFP
His fall is all the more dizzying because he was one of the most popular members of Brazil’s government. Silvio Almeida, 48, Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, was dismissed from his post on Friday, September 6, by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. A figure of the black movement, the latter is accused of harassment and sexual assault on several women working in the federal administration, including his colleague Anielle Franco, Minister of Racial Equality.
The information was revealed the day before by an investigation by journalist Guilherme Amado, published on the news website Metropolises. The latter relayed testimonies collected by the NGO Me Too Brasil, which collects the words of victims of sexual violence. The facts concern at least four women who have suffered, in recent years, touching, forced kisses and obscene messages from Mr. Almeida.
Among them is Anielle Franco, 40, a feminist activist, black, but also the sister of Marielle Franco, a left-wing municipal councilor in Rio, assassinated in 2018. The minister is said to have been subjected to insistent pressure from her colleague, both verbal and physical. According to MetropolisesSilvio Almeida allegedly went so far as to put his hand between Anielle Franco’s legs during a work meeting, in the presence of other participants, in May 2023.
The facts alleged are all the more shocking because they concern an icon of the left. At 48, Silvio Almeida, a lawyer, law professor and emeritus jurist, was one of the leading figures of anti-racist thought. His speech when he took office on January 3, 2023, was considered a monument of eloquence. In it, the new minister lyrically celebrated the “forgotten” from Brazil… and promised to “combat all types of harassment.”
His departure from the government was inevitable and was decided quickly. At the end of a day of consultation, where Mr.me Franco and Mr. Almeida, Lula terminated the functions of his minister. “Anyone who practices harassment will not remain in government”he warned in a radio interview this morning, while acknowledging the “right to defense” of the accused.
For twenty-four hours, Silvio Almeida tried to save his job and what was left of his star. In a series of publications on social networks, the former minister vehemently refuted the accusations, described as“absurd allegations”The lawyer announced his intention to resort to justice to demand explanations from the NGO Me Too Brasil and would try, according to the press, to collect various exchanges of messages and videos with Mr.me Franco, supposed to demonstrate his innocence.
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