Story at a glance
- The United Nations is urging China to provide proof of the well-being and whereabouts of missing tennis star Peng Shuai, who has not been seen publicly since accusing former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.
- “According to available information, the former world doubles No. 1 hasn’t been heard from publicly since she alleged on social media that she was sexually assaulted,” Throssel said.
- Women’s Tennis Association President and CEO Steve Simon said Thursday he is willing to pull events out of China in the absence of an investigation.
The United Nations is urging China to provide proof of the well-being and whereabouts of missing tennis star Peng Shuai, who has not been seen publicly since accusing former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.
“What we would say is that it would be important to have proof of her whereabouts and well-being, and we would urge that there be an investigation with full transparency into her allegations of sexual assault,” Liz Throssell, the spokesperson of the U.N. human rights office, told reporters in Geneva on Friday, according to CNN.
“According to available information, the former world doubles No. 1 hasn’t been heard from publicly since she alleged on social media that she was sexually assaulted. We would stress that it is important to know where she is and know her state, know about her well-being,” Throssell said.
Peng’s disappearance from public view, following her quickly deleted social media post detailing allegations against Zhang, has led to widespread outcry within the international tennis community. Women’s Tennis Association President and CEO Steve Simon said Thursday he is willing to pull events out of China in the absence of an investigation.
“We’re definitely willing to pull our business and deal with all the complications that come with it,” Simon told CNN, adding, “This is certainly — this is bigger than the business.”
“Women need to be respected and not censored,” Simon said.
America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Friday the ministry is not aware of the situation involving Peng Shuai. Lijan told reporters it is “not a diplomatic question and I’m not aware of the situation,” continuing with China’s consistent stance on the issue, according to The Associated Press.
Chinese state media released an email, allegedly detailing correspondence between Peng and Simon, with the missing tennis star telling Simon she was fine while backtracking on allegations she made against Zhang.
“Whether she was coerced into writing it, someone wrote it for her, we don’t know,” said Simon.
“But at this point I don’t think there’s any validity in it and we won’t be comfortable until we have a chance to speak with her,” he added.
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
TIKTOKERS ATTACK TEXAS ABORTION WHISTLEBLOWER WEBSITE
SOCCER STAR MEGAN RAPINOE TAKES ON NBA STAR DRAYMOND GREEN OVER WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
THESE 10 INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN SHOULD BE HOUSEHOLD NAMES—HERE’S WHY THEY ARE NOT
WHO SAYS ONE-THIRD OF ALL WOMEN ENCOUNTER PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE
CHLOE ZHAO BECOMES FIRST ASIAN FEMALE DIRECTOR TO TAKE HOME A GOLDEN GLOBE WITH HER FILM ‘NOMADLAND’
changing america copyright.
