HUDO Centre Date: 16th October 2018 UPDATE ON YOUTH ASSOCIATION IN TALODI FACING INJUDICIOUS TRIAL On 5th September and 8th October 2018, five members of Talodi youth association for development were attended before the court for trial after being arrested for criticizing the use of cyanide in gold mining without taking precautionary measures that had previously caused serious side-effects. The first court session was held on 5th September 2018. During the court session, the police officer who interrogated the defendants appeared as a complainant instead of the locality governor. Soon after opening the session, the judge adjourned the trial to 8th October 2018. On 9th September 2018, police had arrested Mr. Adil Hamid Mohammed Hamid, 27 years old, the deputy of the association’s finance secretary. He was accused of breaching article 57 of criminal penal (Entering and photographing military areas and works). This was because (according to police) he took photographs for the previously arrested five members while they were in police cell. Only his mother and sister are allowed to visit him after being searched by the police officer. On 11th September 2018, Emam Ali Hussein (association’s vice president) was re-arrested by police while he was visiting Adil in his detention. On 12 th September 2018, the youth with other Talodi’s residents organized a peaceful demonstration and gathered in front of the police office demanding for their release or to be transferred to court. Immediately police released them without any conditions. The second court session was held on 8th October 2018, a group of lawyers from Nuba Bar Association appeared before court to defend the youth and supporting their lawyer but, the judge adjourned the court to 8th November 2018 citing reason of complainant’s absence. Observation Notes   During the first session the defendants’ lawyer asked about the interrogation record/ file but the justice replied that, there was no file except a form. The locality governor was summoned by the state governor and Gadir locality’s governor ordered to take over his responsibility. At the same time the state governor formed investigation committee for Talodi youth case. HUDO calls upon;     Sudan government to consider issues raised by the youth and community concerns and to avoid relying on some individuals. Talodi locality authority to value the community’s interests/ concerns and to stop intimidating them when they demand for their rights. The judiciary authority of Sudan to stop delaying justice by postponing the case. The organizations and lawyers to offer the necessary support and coverage for this case. 1