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The United Nations on Friday demanded proof of Peng Shuai’s whereabouts and well-being as international concern mounted for the tennis star, missing since alleging she was sexually exploited by a former vice-premier of China.
The UN insisted on a fully transparent investigation into the claims made by Peng, formerly the world’s top-ranked doubles player, against Communist Party grandee Zhang Gaoli.
Tennis stars, sports bodies and governments and human rights defenders also spoke up for Peng, 35, and demanded information.
The head of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said he was prepared to cut lucrative business ties with China if Peng remains unaccounted for and her sexual assault allegations are not probed.
Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka have also voiced their concerns for one of China’s greatest ever players.
“It would be important to have proof of her whereabouts and well-being,” Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office, told reporters in Geneva.
“According to available information, Peng, a former world doubles number one, hasn’t been heard from publicly since she alleged on social media that she had been sexually assaulted.
“We are calling for an investigation with full transparency into her allegation of sexual assault.”
WTA threatens China pull-out
Peng alleged on the Chinese social media site Weibo earlier this month that Zhang, now in his seventies, had “forced” her into sex during a long-term on-off relationship.
The claims were quickly scrubbed from the Twitter-like platform and she has not been seen since.
The WTA, the top world body for women’s tennis, has called for proof that Peng is safe.
Its boss Steve Simon said he is willing to lose hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Chinese business in one of the WTA’s biggest markets to ensure Peng’s…
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Source : france24
