It is a matter which is beginning to take on an international political dimension, well beyond the borders of the tennis and sports community. This Friday, Liz Throssel, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations (UN), expressed her concern over the disappearance of the player and called for an investigation to be opened. concerning, as well as proof that the player is doing well. “It would be important to have proof of where she is and to know if she is okay. And we urge that an investigation be conducted in full transparency into his allegations of sexual assault, she said during a press briefing in Geneva. We would like to stress that it is important to know where it is and in what condition it is, and to know how it is. "
Read alsoPeng Shuai case: the WTA threatens to withdraw all competitions from China
"We will seek to have clarifications from the Chinese authorities", they say to the Quai d'Orsay
This important political stance, which comes a few days after the first press release released by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) on November 14, should appeal to others.
In France, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has obviously taken note of the situation and, if it does not have additional information "beyond what has already been published", ensures that it is keeping a close eye on this affair. "It is an extremely strong subject for the mobilization of our diplomacy, both against gender-based violence in the world, for equality between women and men, but also in the particular case of sport where we are still somewhat more vigilant in the context of Olympism, they say at the Quai d'Orsay. We will seek clarification from the Chinese authorities. "
China and France are the two countries which will host the next Olympic Games (winter, in February, in Beijing, and summer, in 2024, in Paris) and this affair threatens Beijing even more, a few months away. the opening of the Winter Games already threatened by an American diplomatic boycott.
“What we know is that the Chinese authorities themselves have made national and international commitments in the area of violence against women and it is obvious that China must respect its own legislation and do, if necessary , all the light on this affair, as on all the others with regard to women, ”we are still told.
In China, the #MeToo movement, of which the Peng Shuai affair is becoming a strong symbol, remains heavily censored by the Chinese authorities, in particular on social networks.
As for the CNOSF, it is still time for reflection but a position taken during the day is expected.
