After WTA, US rights group questions Chinese media claiming Peng Shuai's safety

Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), a US-based human rights group, raised questions on aunticity of Chinese media reports claiming that tennis player Peng Shuai, who went incommunico after accusing a senior Chinese Communist Party leer of sexual misconduct, was safe. CHRD's concerns follow those of Women's Tennis Association (WTA), which also questioned aunticity of email cited by Chinese media. 

WTA chief Steve Simon h issued a statement expressing concerns after a report by Chinese state-owned CGTN shared an email, reportedly written by Peng Shuai, claiming she is safe. 

'I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote email': WTA chief

Chinese tennis star has been talk of tennis world after she levelled sexual abuse allegations against Zhang Gaoli, former vice-premier of Communist Party. Soon after her accusations, Peng Shuai was not heard from until CGTN posted reported email that stated, "I'm not missing, nor am I unsafe, I've been resting at home and everything is fine."  

Reacting to it, Simon said in a statement:

" statement released today by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts. I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote email we received or believes what is being attributed to her."

'Peng Shuai's remark issued through state media should not be taken at face value'

CHRD research and vocacy coordinator William Nee said that Peng Shuai's current remark, issued through state media should not be taken at face value. He alleged that Chinese government has a lengthy history of unjustly detaining people involved in contentious cases, limiting ir capacity to talk freely, and forcing m to make forced statements, Rio Free Asia reported. Nee also noted that until Peng Shuai is released, Chinese government should bear burden of proof.

CHRD coordinator encouraged WTA, Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), and tennis stars such as Naomi Osaka and Chris Evert to continue questioning Peng's whereabouts. In a tweet on November 16, Osaka h said that she hopes Peng Shuai and her family are safe. 

(With inputs from ANI, Image: AP)