Keystone Today

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) recently called for a bipartisan resolution regarding Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai’s safety.

The concern for her safety comes after Peng Shuai gave an odd but carefully orchestrated interview and seemingly walked back her previous allegations of sexual assault by Zhang Gaoli, a former vice premier and member of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, according to AP News.

“I remain concerned with Peng Shuai’s safety following her recent 'interview,'" Casey said in a Feb. 7 Tweet. "The Chinese Communist Party's continued censorship and violation of human rights is disturbing. That's why I joined a resolution last week demanding confirmation of her safety."

Casey speaking out about Shuai comes after Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) led their colleagues to introduce the resolution calling on the Chinese Communist Party to guarantee the safety and freedom of Shuai, according to Warner's website.

“The disappearance and silencing of Peng Shuai, following her allegations of sexual assault, serve as a disturbing reminder of the countless human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)," Warner said in a statement. "The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) unwillingness to clearly and forcefully stand up to the CCP and call for independent assurance into the safety and freedom of Peng Shuai strongly suggests that the committee is willing to prioritize a relationship with China over an athlete's well-being. As the Olympic Games get underway, we must not turn a blind eye toward the disturbing human rights abuses by the CCP, and the IOC must join the broader diplomatic push for the freedom and well-being of Peng Shuai.”

The resolution demands the government of the People's Republic of China should provide immediate and verifiable proof of Shuai’s safety, according to the release.

“The recent disappearance of Peng Shuai has shocked the world and exposed the disturbing lack of basic rights and human decency experienced by the Chinese people at the hand of General Secretary Xi’s ruthless communist regime," Scott said in a statement. "No one, especially the IOC, should ignore what happened to Peng Shuai or attempt to move past this horrifying incident simply to avoid confrontation with Communist China. This bipartisan resolution, which has already unanimously passed the House, makes clear that the United States will not tolerate these kind of gross abuses and continues to stand for freedom for all people. I’m thankful for all of my colleagues’ support on this resolution, and I look forward to its quick passage in the Senate.”