HUDO Centre Date: 7th January 2019 No. H.K/UA/01/019 URGENT ACTION ARREST OF YOUTH AND CHILDREN IN ALTARTAR, SUDAN On 3rd January 2019, NISS arrested twelve youth and children in Altartar town of South Kordufan State and deported them to Kadogli. The reason for their arrest is the demonstration that had taken place in town. The names of the arrested group are; Babikir Ahmed Eltegani; Loai Mohammed Wltegani of 16 years old; Ali Ahmed Elhussein; Ibrahim Elhaj Abduelkareim; Babikir Ahmed Omer; Fadelalla Elneuairi; Nadir Jabir Fadelalla of 14 years old; Ahmed Elkarar; Ahmed Adam Mohammed Elhabish (nickname Abu-Aziza); Ahmed Radi Mohammed Elhabish; Bashir Yasin Hamid Idris and Mohammed Ahamed Adam Mohammed. On 3rd January 2019 evening hours, a group of armed soldiers dressed in the uniform of National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) came on six Land-cruiser-vehicles to Altartar/ capital of Eltadamoun locality and held a meeting with its Governor/ Abdalla Abduelsamad at his house. After the meeting, they passed by NISS office, came back and moved around town as they arrested the twelve youths from different houses and detained them at NISS office in Altartar. On 4th January 2019 very early morning (around 02:00 AM) the arrested youths were taken to the capital of the state/ Kadogli. The same morning, the community leader of Altartar traveled to Kadogli to meet the head of NISS about the arrested youth. On 5th January 2019 he met with the head of NISS who confirmed to him that, the youths are at NISS detention in kadogli. HUDO is very concerned about the situation of civilians during this current condition of demonstrations and calls upon;  Sudan government to respect the freedom of expression and assembly.  Sudan government to respect its international obligation of rights and particularly children  NISS in Kadogli to immediately release the detainees unconditionally or to present them before courts of law if there is a genuine case against them.