UN demands investigation into missing tennis star Peng Shuai

The United Nations on Friday demanded proof of Peng Shuai’s whereabouts and well-being as international concern grew over the tennis star, who has disappeared since she alleged she was sexually exploited by a former Chinese vice premier.

The UN insisted on a completely transparent investigation into the allegations made by Peng, the world’s top-ranked former doubles player, against Communist Party great Zhang Gaoli.

Tennis stars, sports organizations and governments and human rights defenders also spoke in favor of Peng, 35, and demanded information.

The director of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said he was prepared to cut lucrative business ties with China if Peng remains missing and her sexual assault allegations are not investigated.

Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka have also expressed concern for one of China’s best players.

“It would be important to have proof of his 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 number one, has not been publicly heard since she alleged on social media that she had been sexually assaulted.

“We call for a fully transparent investigation into his sexual assault charge.”

WTA threatens to withdraw from China

Peng alleged on Chinese social networking site Weibo earlier this month that Zhang, now in her 70s, had “forced” her to have sex during a long-term intermittent relationship.

The claims were quickly removed from the Twitter-like platform and she has not been seen since.

The WTA, the world’s leading women’s tennis body, has asked for proof that Peng is safe.

His boss, Steve Simon, said he is willing to lose hundreds of millions of dollars on Chinese business in one of the WTA’s largest markets to ensure Peng’s safety.

“We are definitely willing to pull our business and deal with all the complications that come with it,” Simon told CNN.

“Women must be respected and not censored,” he added.

Tennis legend Serena Williams also demanded an investigation.

“I am devastated and shocked to hear the news from my partner, Peng Shuai,” the former world number one singles wrote on Twitter.

“This must be investigated and we must not remain silent.”

Peng represented China at the Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro Olympics and won gold for China at the 2010 Asian Games.

She is a former Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion.

France said the international community and sports bodies were concerned about Peng’s situation.

“We are concerned about the lack of information,” the French Foreign Ministry said.

“We call on the Chinese authorities to fulfill their commitments in the fight against violence against women.”

The Lawn Tennis Association, Britain’s governing body for the sport, offered its assistance to the WTA in its efforts to establish safety for Peng.

Questions by email

Peng’s claims brought the #MeToo movement to the highest echelons of the ruling Communist Party of China for the first time.

“The Chinese government has systematically silenced the country’s #MeToo movement,” said Doriane Lau, Amnesty International China researcher.

“Since he also has a zero tolerance approach to criticism, it is deeply concerning that Peng Shuai appears to be missing,” he said.

China has repeatedly refused to comment on his fate or the case.

But Hu Xijin, editor of the state-run Global Times, tweeted on Friday that he did not believe that “Peng Shuai has received speculated retaliation and repression by foreign media because of what people are talking about.”

Earlier this week, the state CGTN posted a screenshot on Twitter of what it said was an email written by Peng to Simon and other WTA officials.

In the email, Peng claims her previous allegations “are not true” and says she is “resting at home and everything is fine.”

But questions were quickly raised about the awkward language used in the alleged email and the visible cursor in the screenshot.

Simon said he had a hard time believing the email was authentic.

“I don’t think it has any validity and we won’t be comfortable until we have a chance to talk to her,” he said.

Amnesty International’s Lau said: “China’s state media has a history of forcing statements on people under duress, or simply fabricating them.”

(AFP)