Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions - Updated Edition What is ultimately important for the interviewers is not to know the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, but rather to enquire into and identify any forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics, that may be conducive to torture or other ill-treatment.95 Insights from practice: As part of its work to promote and protect the rights of women and LGBTI persons, in 2016 the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines adopted the Gender Ombud Guidelines96 for investigating human rights violations against women and persons with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. The Guidelines were developed in close coordination with the Philippines Commission on Women and in consultation with national government agencies and civil society organizations. The document includes general guidelines and specific guidelines on preinterview, interview and post interview related to women and LGBTI persons. KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 5 • Interviewing is important for a number of purposes, such as collecting information, assessing its credibility and cross-checking. • It is crucial to prepare for an interview and to be clear about what you hope to achieve. • Interviewing is a delicate task, and a primary goal is to build rapport with the interviewee. Basic principles should be followed in terms of opening the interview, asking open and non-leading questions, closing the interview and respecting confidentiality. • Follow-up is essential, for example by preparing an affidavit or identifying other people to interview. • Interviewing victims of trauma and other persons in situations of vulnerability poses specific challenges; an interviewer needs to be prepared for this and know how to respond appropriately. • Gender-specific considerations should be included during the preparation, conduct and after any interview. 76 95 APT, Towards the Effective Protection of LGBTI Persons Deprived of Liberty: A Monitoring Guide, 2018, pp. 46-48 96 See: http://chr.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/CHR-Gender-Ombud-Guidelines.pdf