Through a collective complaint by women confirmed by the NGO Me Too, the minister is accused of having committed acts of sexual harassment. EFE Photo

Brasilia, September 7 (RHC)-- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) assured that he will not have anyone in his administration who practices harassment, due to accusations made against the Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Silvio Almeida.

“We will have to investigate properly.  Continuity in government is not possible, because the government will not do justice to its speech, to its defense of women, with someone who is being accused of harassment.  "I will speak with my ministers, with Silvio and Anielle [Franco, Minister of Racial Equality], and I will make the decision," Lula told local media.

The president said that although the minister will not remain in the government, the right to defense and the presumption of innocence must be allowed.  "He has the right to defend himself.  We will have the Federal Police, the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Ethics Commission of the Presidency of the Republic investigate," he said.

The facts stem from a collective complaint by women, confirmed by the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) "Me Too," that the minister is accused of having committed acts of sexual harassment against a group of women.

"The organization for the defense of women victims of sexual violence, "Me Too Brazil," confirms, with the consent of the victims, that it received complaints of sexual harassment against the Minister of Human Rights, Silvio Almeida.  They were attended to through the organization's channels of attention and received psychological and legal support," the NGO said in a statement.

He also said that “all victims are treated with the same respect, neutrality and impartiality, with an approach based on the victims' trauma.  In the same way, we treat the aggressors regardless of their position, whether worker or minister.”

On the other hand, Almeida announced that he sent letters to the Comptroller General of the Union, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Attorney General of the Republic to investigate the case.

“I will send letters to the Comptroller General of the Union, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Attorney General of the Republic to carry out a thorough investigation of the case,” stressed Silvio Almeida through a statement.