HUDO Centre Date: 18th March 2022 No. H.K/PS/18/022 PRESS STATEMENT DEMONSTRATION AND ARRESTS IN DAMAZIN, SUDAN On 14th March 2022, students and the general public demonstrated in Damazin town. The protest was caused by the price increase on essential goods (commodities). Police arrested some of the protesters and filed cases against them. Many times, court dismisses such cases. On 14th March 2022, students and the general public in Damazin organized a demonstration condemning the increase in prices of essential goods. The police used teargas to disperse them, arrested some of them (including underage) and filed cases against them under articles (69disturbance of public peace) and (77- public nuisance) 0f Sudan Criminal Code 1991. On 15th March 2022, first group appeared before the court but the judge of Damazin court adjourned the court session to 16th March 2021 because the complainant was absent. On 16th March 2022, the judge dismissed the case because for the second time, there was no complainant. On 17th March 2022, the second group appeared before court but the judge adjourned the court to 20th March 2022 because the complainant did not show up (come) in court. Damazin is the capital of Blue Nile State. HUDO is very concerned about the situation of civilians in Sudan and calls upon:  Police in Blue Nile State (BN) to stop excessive use of force towards protesters.  The prosecution office in BN to immediately stop arbitrary arrests committed by security organs.  The civil society organization and activist to support victims and observe the court sessions.  The national, international organizations and UN agencies to pay more attention to the conflict areas. End: For more information, please write to hudo2009@gmail.com