t h e Asia Pacific F o r u m o f N a t i o n a l H u m a n Rights I n s t i t u t i o n s ( A P F ) a n d the
International Coordinating Committee f o r National Institutions f o r t h e
P r o t e c t i o n a n d P r o m o t i o n o f H u m a n Rights (ICC), w e call f o r t h e
P h i l i p p i n e ' s favorable vote for the establishment o f a U N
Independent Expert on S O G I E .
T h e country's support to this resolution means the recognition of the
urgent need t o address the various forms o f discrimination and violence
faced b ypersons w i t h diverse S O G I a n d a recognition that there is a need t o
systematically address these problems. T h e establishment of a U N Expert o n
S O G I makes this possible b y allowing m o r e detailed exploration o f the
situation o f specific populations, t h e specific patterns o f violations a n d the
intersectionalities between h u m a n rights violation based o n S O G I and o n
other ground, including l o o k i n g a tthe r o o t causes o f w h y such violence a n d
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n take place. I n d e p e n d e n t E x p e r t s w o u l d also engage i n
constructive dialogues, share g o o d practices, b u i l d awareness a n d provide
s u p p o r t t o g o v e r n m e n t s o p e n t o addressing these issues. T h e y a r e also
expected t o e n c o u r a g e positive a n d effective responses t o g o v e r n m e n t a n d
stakeholders and t obring clarity to the application o finternational h u m a n
rights n o r m s and standards i n relation to SOGI.
A g a i n , w e call o n t h e country's full support for t h e establishment o f a n
Independent Expert o n protection against violence a n d discrimination based
o n sexual orientation and gender identity. A sa voting m e m b e r of the H u m a n
Rights Council, we look forward to the country's favourable vote towards the
establishment o f this special m a n d a t e , a n d w e also request for vigilance
during the deliberation of the resolution — that the same b e discussed based
o n the merits thereof, a n d that any effort to block the s a m e o n the basis o f
procedure be duly opposed.
I s s u e d t h i s 19*^ d a y o f D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6 , Q u e z o n C i t y , P h i l i p p i n e s .
2