September 15, 2012 News: Two new members of the European Union (EU) Contingent to the Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Component (HRDC) of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) have arrived in Cotabato City.

The two new EU human rights and development monitors are Mrs. Renate Korber (Austrian national) and Mr.Shaun Kirven United Kingdom national), who arrived in Cotabato City last September 13.

Immediately upon their arrival in Cotabato City, the duo paid courtesy call to IMT Head of Mission Major General Raheem Bin Mohd Yusuf, who briefed them on the necessary arrangement to commence their tour of duty.

Mrs. Korber will replace Mrs. Susan Robertson, as expert on International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law, while Mr. Kirven will take the post left by Ms. Cynthia Petrigh, who is now in Paris, France.

.However, Susan is still in Cotabato City and will lead the courtesy call to the MILF peace panel on September 17.

The EU’s decision to continue their role in the IMT was contained in the Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Component of June 3 2010 and its Terms of Reference of December 7, 2011.

Together with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the EU was originally invited by the MILF to join the International Contact Group (ICG), but the Philippine government did not concur.

The IMT has four components namely, Security, held by Malaysia; Socio-economic by Japan; HRDC by the EU; and Civilian Protection by Non-Violent Force, MINHRAC, Mindanao People’s Caucus, and MOGOP.