“The International Olympic Committee’s response to Peng Shuai’s disappearance is unacceptable” says Human Rights Watch
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Peng Shuai gets support from Human Rights Watch
2-time Grand Slam Doubles champion and former World No. 1 in the Doubles, Peng Shuai has been one of the most sought tennis stars this month after the Chinese player came forward and accused China’s former vice Premier from 2013 to 2018, Zhang Gaoli of having had assaulted her sexually on numerous occasions.
Peng came forward with her story on 2nd November via her Weibo social media account and explained how she had been a victim of Gaoli’s inhuman actions over a decade ago. However, her post was deleted within an hour and since then she has not been seen publicly raising concerns about her safety and whereabouts.
While WTA did receive an e-mail supposedly by Peng where she said that the accusations she had made earlier were false and she is very safe and sound, it is believed to be a bogus email and not written actually by Peng giving further rise towards her well-being given China’s censorship policy that does not allow any critics of its government.
With WTA having made statements, the International Olympic Committee(IOC) remained silent throughout and when they finally issued a statement, it did not go well with the people. The IOC said, “We have seen the latest reports and are encouraged by assurances that she is safe,” and the statement seemed heavily influenced by the Chinese government who seems to be keen on not allowing much investigation into the matter.
HRW’s take on the IOC statement about Peng Shuai
With the 2022 Winter Olympics followed by the Paralympics scheduled to begin in February in Beijing, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) have come forward in not letting the case of Peng get subdued so easily and hope to get to the bottom of the matter.
Athletes across the globe and across various sports have come ahead and raised voices over the disappearance of the 3-time Olympian and the hashtag ‘#whereispengshuai’ is trending across social media. The WTA, ATP and also the PTPA have issued strong statements and have threatened to pull out of China if the matter is not handled correctly and the HRW also wishes a similar reaction from the IOC.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)