Human rights group criticizes the IOC's role in the Peng Shuai case
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) acted irresponsibly with regard to Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, said the Alliance for Sport and Rights on Wednesday (1).
Peng, who has played in three Olympics and was number one in the doubles world, has caused concern around the world since she posted a message on social media last month alleging that former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli sexually assaulted her.
IOC President Thomas Bach said Peng is safe and well after a 30-minute phone conversation with her on November 21, which took place after Western governments and the global tennis community expressed concern for her well-being. The 35-year-old tennis player was not seen for nearly three weeks after making the allegations.
"The IOC's behavior in relation to allegations of sexual assault and the disappearance of Peng Shuai is irresponsible and shows how hollow its understanding of human rights actually is," said Andrea Florence, acting director of Sport & Rights Alliance, in a statement. .
“The IOC's eagerness to ignore the voice of an Olympic athlete who may be in danger and to support claims by the state-sponsored media in China shows the urgent and critical need for a human rights strategy for the IOC,” it says.
The IOC said the main purpose of the call was to inquire about Peng Shuai's well-being and safety and added that she "asked that her privacy be respected in all respects."
Text translated using artificial intelligence.
