Conference on the Yogyakarta Principles: What have we learnt and where to now?

Ten years on from the adoption of the Yogyakarta Principles – a landmark document setting out the human rights of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – an APF-UNDP conference has considered a range of practical steps to advance the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people.

The conference brought together more than 100 experts from national human rights institutions, LGBTI civil society organisations, research bodies and UN and development partners from over 25 countries and territories.

A series of presentations and group discussions focused on the development of the Yogyakarta Principles and the way it has been used to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTI people at the global, regional and national levels.

Over the past decade, some 25 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific region, have introduced a range of protective laws and ordinances, passed supportive court judgements, and pioneered constitutional reform processes that promote the equality of LGBTI people.

However, many speakers noted the ongoing challenges and threats that many LGBTI people face, from discrimination, harassment and exclusion through to abduction, torture and killings in some parts of the world.

Representatives from 18 NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region took part in the conference, with many building on their participation in an APF-UNDP training program on human rights in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.

The conference sought to draw on the expertise of participants by holding "workstation discussions" on gaps in the Yogyakarta Principles, as well as practical steps to implement the Yogyakarta Principles in relation to:

• Intersex people
• Gender identity
• Faith, culture and family
• Violence and extremism
• Legal protection
• Legal oppression
• Engagement with the international human rights mechanisms
• Sustainable Development Goals

The ideas and reflections they shared provide a basis for NHRIs, civil society organisations and UN partners to build partnerships and develop programs for action in advocacy, public education, litigation and engaging with the international human rights framework.

Conference papers

Conference concept note

Conference program

Speakers' biographies

Media release

Yogyakarta Principles

Conference report

Conference speakers and presentations

Welcome to Thailand

Nada Chaiyajit, Manushya Foundation

Opening remarks

• Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub
• Muhammad Nurkhoiron, Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights
• Pip Dargan, Deputy Director, Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions

Keynote opening address

Professor Emeritus Visit Muntarbhorn, UN Independent Expert on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Reflecting on the emergence of the Yogyakarta Principles; its content and application over 10 years

• Arvind Narrain, ARC International
• Karen Gomez-Dumpit, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
• Sunil Pant, Former Member of Parliament, Nepal

Challenges, barriers, limitations of the Yogyakarta Principles; and how can it be strengthened for the future?

Keynote speaker: Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, former Justice of the High Court of Australia

• Jean Chong, Program Field Coordinator, Outright Action International
• Vaialia Iosua, Co-Founder/Former Vice President, Samoa Faafafine Association, Inc.
• Mauro Cabral Grinspan, Executive Director, Global Action for Trans Equality

Closing address and remarks

Keynote speaker: Sonia Onufer Corrêa, Sexuality Policy Watch

• Midnight Poonkasetwattana, Executive Director, APCOM
• Nadika Nadja, Working Group Member, Sampoorna
• Hiker Chiu, Founder, OII Chinese