SECTION TWO: How NHRIs can address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBTI communities NHRI highlighted that LGBTI people reported discrimination in employment and access to income. Many reported homelessness, experiences of HIV, and difficulties in accessing healthcare services. The report was presented to the parliament and cabinet. 2. Advising authorities on how to promote and protect the rights of LGBTI people in the context of COVID-19 The UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) has established that any state measures that are put in place to support vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, should recognise the vulnerability and adequately and fully respond to the needs of LGBTI people.114 NHRIs regularly submit advisory notes, opinions, recommendations, proposals, and reports to the government and key authorities or service providers regarding the promotion and protection of human rights, in line with the Paris Principles.115 Many NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region have in the past provided advice to governments on the need to protect and promote the rights of LGBTI people, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.116 It is important that these are developed in consultation with LGBTI people and their representative organisations.117 POSSIBLE ACTIONS • Issue and disseminate special calls to relevant governmental bodies to pay special attention to the needs of vulnerable groups during the pandemic, including LGBTI people. • Urge the parliament to recognise trans and intersex-specific healthcare services, HIV services and treatment as essential healthcare services for the duration of the pandemic.118 • Submit an opinion in response to the parliament’s gendered lockdown plans, which would allow men and women to go to the supermarket on different days. Remind them that such rules need to take into account the situation of trans, non-binary, and intersex people, whose documents may not match their identity or appearance and use this opportunity to remind the government to introduce legal gender recognition procedures. • Participate in the consultations organised by government agencies about addressing intimate partner and family violence and recommend that LGBTI people are identified as a vulnerable group, ensuring that shelters and services are inclusive of LGBTI people and that service providers are adequately trained. • Urge the State to consult and partner with LGBTI people and organisations in developing responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and to resource NGOs for their role in this work. 114 OHCHR, COVID-19 and the Human Rights of LGBTI people. 115 Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in relation to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Sex Characteristics, APF, p. 168. 116 Ibid., p. 169. 117 Ibid. 118 OHCHR, COVID-19 and the Human Rights of LGBTI people. 18