Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 7: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is considering the dismissal of Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida following allegations of sexual misconduct.

In a statement shared on social media, Lula confirmed he was weighing the minister's future after MeToo Brasil, an organisation supporting women victims of sexual violence, reported receiving complaints against Almeida. The organisation later confirmed the complaints in a public statement.

"No one who commits harassment will remain in government," Lula said, adding that federal authorities, including the police, the public prosecutor's office, the comptroller general, and the presidency's ethics commission, would investigate the matter. He emphasised the importance of ensuring the right to a defence during the process, AP reports.

The Brazilian government has requested Almeida to provide explanations to Comptroller General Vinícius Carvalho and Attorney General Jorge Messias. "The federal government recognises the seriousness of the allegations and is addressing the case with the urgency and rigour that issues related to violence against women demand," read an official statement from the presidency, which gave no further details on the accusations, according to a report by AP.

Almeida responded in a statement, firmly denying the allegations and describing them as an attempt to tarnish his image. He expressed that he "repudiates with absolute vehemence the lies" about his conduct and denounced what he referred to as a "campaign to damage my image as a Black man in a prominent position in government." Almeida added that he would fully cooperate with any investigation and warned that false accusations constitute a crime.

According to Folha de S.Paulo newspaper, Lula was set to meet with Almeida and Minister for Racial Equality Anielle Franco on Friday. Local media have suggested Franco is among those who reported Almeida's behaviour, though she has not made any public comments.

Brazil's First Lady, Rosângela da Silva, commonly known as Janja, has shown public support for Franco, posting a photo on Instagram of her kissing Franco on the forehead. Janja is a vocal advocate for women's rights.

MeToo Brasil stated that victims of sexual violence involving powerful figures often struggle to secure institutional backing for their claims. "As a result, they allowed the case to be confirmed to the press," the organisation said in its Thursday statement.-Agencies