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Washington, DC -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution led by Representatives Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and Michael Waltz (R-FL) calling for an immediate guarantee of the freedom and safety of three-time Olympian Peng Shuai, following her disappearance a month ago after publishing allegations that she was sexually assaulted by a former senior People’s Republic of China (PRC) government official. The resolution condemns the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for collaborating with Chinese government officials to cover up Peng’s disappearance and silencing.

“Peng Shuai’s disappearance has put the Chinese government’s repressive and brutal assault on human rights on full display for the world to see,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “While the IOC is once again turning a blind eye to human rights abuses and putting its bottom line over the safety of athletes, human rights groups, tennis stars, and concerned people across the globe have come together to ask a simple question -- ‘where is Peng Shuai?’. Today the House of Representatives is demanding answers and calling for the immediate guarantee of Peng Shuai’s freedom and safety.”

“I’m pleased both Republicans and Democrats came together to condemn the IOC’s capitulation to the Chinese Communist Party by helping coverup Peng Shuai’s allegations of sexual assault against a senior CCP official and assist in whitewashing her disappearance.” said Rep. Waltz. “Gender-based assault remains a serious issue in China and the IOC has further emboldened the mistreatment of women by refusing to call for a thorough, independent investigation on behalf of Peng. The IOC has again demonstrated they are willing to compromise their own values in exchange for the monetary benefits that come with hosting the Olympics in China.”

Wexton and Waltz are urging the PRC to provide independent and verifiable proof of Peng’s safety, cease censorship of Peng’s case and allow her to engage directly with the U.S. or other international organizations, investigate Peng’s allegations and commit to holding sexual violence abusers accountable, and allow Peng to leave China if she so desires while refraining from all retaliation against Peng’s family in China. The resolution condemns the IOC for failing to adhere to its own human rights standards, which have undermined the efforts of the U.S. government and others to secure Peng’s safety.

Wexton spoke on the floor today in support of her bipartisan resolution. You can watch her full remarks here.

Wexton is a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and has been outspoken against the Chinese government’s escalating human rights abuses as well as expressed concern for athlete safety at the upcoming Olympic Games.

The full resolution can be found here.

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