The White House and the United Nations are for an investigation into allegations of sexual assault and the upcoming disappearance of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai earlier in November. The European Union joined them on Tuesday.
Peng accused former Chinese Communist Party leader Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault on Nov. 2 and has been seen publicly twice since. In a statement, the EU called for “verifiable evidence” of Peng’s protection and further investigation into the former world number one. allegations of sexual assault.
“The EU joins the developing foreign demands, which add sports professionals, to obtain assurances that it is loose and not threatened,” the EU said, according to The Associated Press. “With this in mind, the EU calls on the Chinese government to provide evidence of safety, well-being and the location of Peng Shuai. The EU urges the Chinese government to conduct a full, fair and transparent investigation into its sexual assault allegations.
“The EU strongly opposes the use of the practice of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention . . . and calls on China to comply with its human rights obligations under domestic and foreign law. “
Peng, who made her accusations in a post that has since been deleted on Chinese social media Weibo, went 18 days without public appearances, but on Nov. 20, Chinese state media published a video of her allegedly having dinner with friends and her coach in Beijing.
A day later, the IOC announced that it was going to hold a videoconvention with Peng and contemplate his safety. IOC President Thomas Bach, Chinese sports official Li Lingwei and Athletes’ Commission Chair Emma Terho were on the call and reportedly agreed to have dinner with Peng. before the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
However, Peng’s limited return to public view satisfies the EU.
“His recent public reappearance eases considerations about his protection and freedom,” an EU spokesman said.
The EU comes 11 days after the White House and the UN called for an investigation into Peng’s sexual assault allegations and while press secretary Jen Psaki said the White House was “deeply concerned” at the time.
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