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IOC’s Peng Shuai interview called “publicity stunt” amid harsh criticism
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been the subject of much criticism regarding the handling of its interview with Peng Shuai regarding his well-being.
The IOC held a 30-minute video call with Peng Shuai herself following her apparent disappearance and censorship after she alleged former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.
Peng Shuai herself, IOC President Thomas Bach, IOC Athletes’ Commission President Emma Terho and IOC China Member Li Lingwei were all present at the roll call.
However, although Peng said she was “safe and healthy” during the video call, the IOC came under heavy criticism of their interview.
Human rights lawyer and former Canadian Olympic swimmer Nikki Dryden called the management of the IOC a “publicity stunt”.
Dryden said, “I’m so relieved that she’s alive, but the execution of this Proof of Life video is really unsettling from a protection standpoint.
“It seems very political to me that Bach has this call with the President of the Athletes’ Commission (Emma Terho) – which is probably somewhat appropriate – and then the IOC member from China. This is by no means a backup call.
“Tennis should have been able to have that call, it should have been a protection officer having that call – not a publicity stunt.”
Human Rights Watch Chinese spokesperson Yaqiu Wang said via Twitter that the IOC “now actively plays a role in the Chinese government’s enforced disappearance, coercion and propaganda devices.”
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In addition, the Chinese researcher of Amnesty International, human rights organization, Alkan Akad, declared that “the IOC is entering dangerous waters. They should be extremely careful and not participate in laundering possible human rights violations.
“In the past, we have seen various similar cases where people had no choice but to say what they were told.
“The Chinese government has a history, especially the state-run media, of fabricating statements or forcing people to testify forcibly and sometimes on television shortly after people go missing. “
Ultimately, Akad said the video interview did little to allay fears about Peng’s well-being.
Likewise, sports rights organization Global Athlete called the IOC’s approach “nonchalant” and accused them of showing “a heinous indifference to sexual violence and the well-being of female athletes.”
Continuing, Global Athlete added that “the statement claims that Peng has never made any allegations of sexual assault and has not been missing for more than two weeks.
“These statements make the IOC complicit in the malicious propaganda of the Chinese authority and its lack of attention to basic human rights and justice.
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