A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Government of the People's Republic of China should immediately guarantee the safety and freedom of tennis star Peng Shuai.

Bill: 117-sres-503
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2022-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Assault and harassment offenses
Athletes
China
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
News media and reporting
Olympic games
Political parties and affiliation
Professional sports
Sex offenses
United Nations
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: 
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the case of Peng Shuai is directly related to broader international concerns around the freedom of speech and safety of athletes participating in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
 
The resolution expresses that the failure of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to clearly and forcefully challenge the claims of China concerning Peng's safety raise questions about the ability and willingness of the IOC to stand up for the human rights of athletes participating in the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic games in Beijing. 
 
 The resolution also expresses that China should (1) provide independent and verifiable proof of Peng's whereabouts and that she is safe, (2) allow Peng to engage directly with the Women's Tennis Association and the United Nations to independently verify her safety and explain her absence from public life since making her allegation, (3) open an independent and transparent investigation into Peng's allegations against former senior Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, (4) publicly commit to holding sexual violence abusers accountable, (5) cease all censorship of reporting and discussions of Peng's case, and (6) allow Peng to leave China if she so desires and prevent any retaliation against her family members remaining there. 
 
Finally, the resolution expresses that, by failing to clearly and forcefully challenge the Chinese Communist Party's narrative, the IOC has failed to uphold its own stated commitments with regard to respect for international conventions on protecting human rights. 

action_date: 2022-04-04
text: 
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the case of Peng Shuai is directly related to broader international concerns around the freedom of speech and safety in China. 
 
The resolution expresses that the failure of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to clearly and forcefully challenge the claims of China concerning Peng's safety raises questions about the ability and willingness of the IOC to stand up for the human rights of athletes participating in the Olympic and Paralympic games in Beijing, as well as in future games. 
 
 The resolution also expresses that China should (1) allow Peng to provide independent and verifiable proof of her own whereabouts and safety without retribution, (2) allow Peng to engage directly with the Women's Tennis Association and the United Nations to independently verify her safety and explain her absence from public life since making her allegation, (3) open an independent and transparent investigation into Peng's allegations against former senior Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, (4) publicly commit to holding sexual violence abusers accountable, (5) cease all censorship of reporting and discussions of Peng's case, and (6) allow Peng to leave China if she so desires and prevent any retaliation against her family members remaining there. 
 
Finally, the resolution expresses that, by failing to clearly and forcefully challenge the Chinese Communist Party's narrative, the IOC has failed to uphold its own stated commitments with regard to respect for international conventions on protecting human rights. 

action_date: 2022-04-07
text: 
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the case of Peng Shuai is directly related to broader international concerns around the freedom of speech and safety in China. 
 
The resolution expresses that the failure of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to clearly and forcefully challenge the claims of China concerning Peng's safety raises questions about the ability and willingness of the IOC to stand up for the human rights of athletes participating in the Olympic and Paralympic games in Beijing, as well as in future games. 
 
The resolution also expresses that China should (1) allow Peng to provide independent and verifiable proof of her own whereabouts and safety without retribution, (2) allow Peng to engage directly with the Women's Tennis Association and the United Nations to independently verify her safety and explain her absence from public life since making her allegation, (3) open an independent and transparent investigation into Peng's allegations against former senior Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, (4) publicly commit to holding sexual violence abusers accountable, (5) cease all censorship of reporting and discussions of Peng's case, and (6) allow Peng to leave China if she so desires and prevent any retaliation against her family members remaining there. 
 
Finally, the resolution expresses that, by failing to clearly and forcefully challenge the Chinese Communist Party's narrative, the IOC has failed to uphold its own stated commitments with regard to respect for international conventions on protecting human rights.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-04-07
text: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2080-2081; text: CR S2080-2081)
action_date: 2022-04-07
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S2080-2081; text: CR S2080-2081)
action_date: 2022-04-04
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 323.
action_date: 2022-04-04
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-04-04
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-03-23
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S525)
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate