Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in relation to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Sex Characteristics A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions • Undertaking Effective Investigations: A Guide for National Human Rights Institutions (2013; also available in Arabic) • The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions (2013), published jointly with OHCHR • Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Women and Girls: A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions (2014; also available in Arabic and in Tetum) • Media Handbook for National Human Rights Institutions (2014; also available in Tetum) • Defending Dignity: A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions on Monitoring Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2015), published jointly with the Center for Economic and Social Rights • A Manual on National Human Rights Institutions (2015; also available in Arabic). All these manuals are available on the APF website.11 This manual is part of that series. UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND BEING LGBTI IN ASIA In producing this manual the APF has been assisted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in particular through Phase 2 of its project Being LGBTI in Asia. Being LGBT in Asia Phase 1 was undertaken as a partnership between Asian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organisations and community leaders in the period 2012–2015.12 The purpose of the partnership was to conduct a participatory review and analysis of the legal and social environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in Asia. National reports were published in eight countries that included recommendations based on contributions to the dialogues and additional research and analysis.13 An Asia-wide literature review was also conducted and further data, resources and experiences were drawn from civil society organisations, academic institutions and private sector partners. In February 2015, a Regional Dialogue on LGBTI Human Rights and Health in Asia-Pacific was convened by UNDP, with support from the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, USAID and other partners. The Regional Dialogue gathered over 200 participants from the Asia Pacific region, including community representatives, government experts, representatives of NHRIs and development partners. Inclusion of intersex people in the Regional Dialogue enabled discussion of specific issues relating to sex characteristics. A regional meeting of NHRIs was convened by APF and UNDP to coincide with the Regional Dialogue. Through these various activities, Being LGBT in Asia Phase 1 established an evidence base on issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics in the Asia Pacific region and produced the following reports: • Being LGBT in Asia country reports for Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam • Report of the Regional Dialogue on LGBTI Human Rights and Health in Asia-Pacific 4 11 At www.asiapacificforum.net/support/professional-resources/. 12 Supported by UNDP and USAID. 13 Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam. Being LGBT in Asia country reports are available at www.asia-pacific.undp.org/content/rbap/en/home/operations/projects/overview/being-lgbt-in-asia.html.