Transparency International calls on government of Brazil to remove tainted ministers

Issued by Transparency International Secretariat

The government must guarantee that any cabinet members involved in corruption will be dismissed.

This follows press reports on 29 May that taped conversations show Minister of Transparency, Supervision and Control Fabiano Silveira allegedly trying to indicate how politicians can avoid investigation in the Petrobras scandal, known as Lava Jato or Car Wash.

“No one should be above the law. There must be no impunity for the corrupt and no behind closed door deals. It is disappointing that the ministry in charge of transparency is now under suspicion as part of a cover up,” said Alejandro Salas, director for the Americas at Transparency International.

Transparency International will suspend its dialogue with the MTMC until a full investigation is carried out and a new minister with appropriate experience in the fight against corruption is appointed.

Transparency International has had a constructive relationship with the Comptroller General's Office, now the MTMC, for more than five years on how to prevent corruption and the importance of establishing  independent and transparency investigations where the public can see that there is no impunity for the corrupt.

Transparency International has supported the strong stand taken by the judiciary and the Supreme Court in its pursuit of high level corruption investigations, which have seen both politicians and business leaders investigated and brought to justice.

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