A/HRC/19/41 Australia, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Thailand.140 79. Some States – inter alia, Australia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Uruguay – have made it easier for transgender and intersex persons to obtain legal recognition of a change of gender or to indicate a gender other than male or female. The New Zealand Human Rights Commission recently concluded a two-year consultation to identify human rights concerns of transgender persons.141 80. Finally, recognizing that safeguarding the rights of LGBT persons is a multifaceted undertaking, the Government of Norway recently published a plan of action intended to mobilize eight Government departments to implement a series of specific measures.142 VII. Conclusions and recommendations 81. The present report summarizes only some of the information gathered by United Nations treaty bodies and special procedures, regional and non-governmental organizations on violence and discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. A more comprehensive analysis of the human rights challenges facing LGBT and intersex persons would require a more extensive study and, in future, regular reporting. 82. Nevertheless, on the basis of the information presented herein, a pattern of human rights violations emerges that demands a response. Governments and intergovernmental bodies have often overlooked violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The mandate of the Human Rights Council requires it to address this gap: the Council should promote “universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner.”143 With the adoption in June 2011 of resolution 17/19, the Council formally expressed its “grave concern” regarding violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Further action is now needed, especially at the national level, if individuals are to be better protected from such human rights violations in future. 83. The recommendations to Member States set out below, which are not exhaustive, draw on measures recommended by United Nations human rights mechanisms. 84. The High Commissioner recommends that Member States: (a) Investigate promptly all reported killings and other serious incidents of violence perpetrated against individuals because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, whether carried out in public or in private by State or non-State actors, and hold perpetrators accountable, and establish systems for the recording and reporting of such incidents; 140 141 142 143 24 For more information on the work of the Asia Pacific Forum in this area and contributions of national human rights institutions in the region, see www.asiapacificforum.net/support/issues/sexual_orientation. “To Be Who I am”, New Zealand Transgender Inquiry report, New Zealand Human Rights Commission, 2008. “Improving Quality of Life among Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans persons, 2009 –2012”, Norwegian Ministry of Children and Equality, 2008. General Assembly resolution 60/251, para. 2.