White Helmets Founder Found Dead in Turkey: Daily Brief
James Le Mesurier, co-founder of the White Helmets, a Syrian humanitarian rescue group, found dead in Istanbul; Bolivia’s former president granted asylum in Mexico; Dubai to hold tolerance summit while activists remain imprisoned; Cambodia attempts to appease EU; a step towards justice for murdered Thai activist; South Sudan extends deadline for the formation of a government; Kenyan summit to tackle maternal mortality and child marriage; and goods from illegal Israeli settlements must be labeled, EU court rules.
James Le Mesurier, co-founder of the White Helmets, a Syrian humanitarian rescue group, has died in Istanbul. According to Turkish media reports, Le Mesurier appeared to have fallen from a balcony.
Bolivia’s former president, Evo Morales, has been granted asylum in Mexico. Morales resigned on Sunday amid turmoil caused by his re-election last month widely seen as fraudulent. Meanwhile, Bolivia's military commander ordered troops to back up police who have clashed with Morales supporters. Some 20 people have been reported injured in the clashes.
While several rights activists languish behind bars, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is hosting its second World Tolerance Summit in Dubai as part of UAE efforts to present itself as the “global capital of tolerance.”
In an attempt to appease EU demands for substantial rights improvements, Cambodia has released opposition leader Kem Sokha from house arrest. However, Sokha remains banned from engaging in any political activity or leaving the country, and many opposition members are still in prison.
After more than five years of government cover ups and delays, a Thai court has approved arrest warrants for several forestry officials in connection with the abduction and murder of a prominent ethnic Karen human rights defender.
Leaders and stakeholders of war-torn South Sudan have agreed to an additional 100 days to form a transitional government.
Kenya is hosting the 25th International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25) this week. A quarter of a century after the first global conference on sexual and reproductive health in Cairo, Egypt, more than 800 women still die during pregnancy and childbirth every day, and millions have no access to modern contraceptives. The summit aims to tackle these problems as well as put a stop to gender-based violence, child marriage and female genital mutilation.
And: Goods from Israeli settlements must be identified as such with special labelling, the EU's top court has ruled. Consumers must be able to take ethical considerations in their purchasing decisions, it found.