HUDO Centre Date: 30th September 2024 No.: H.K/PS/22/024 UPDATE ON PRISON OVER CROWDED WITH PEOPLE ARRESTED BY SAF IN BLUE NILE, SUDAN On 12th September 2024, the governor of Blue Nile state attended a function at Roseries prison. They were celebrating the release of thirty-two (32) detainees from prison out of over five hundred (500) inmates. This frustrated the prisoners who remained in jail, as well as their families and residents of Blue Nile. Since the war broke out on 15th April 2023 between Sudan Armed Force (SAF) and Rapid Support Force (RSF), the Blue Nile State government conducted arrest operations targeting the youth particularly after Mac Abu Shotal joined RSF. Since the 29th June 2024 when RSF attacked and captured Sinja town, the arrest operations increased. The arrests increased further after 23rd July 2024 when RSF attacked some other villages around Damazin in Blue Nile State. The number of inmates in Roseries prison had reached five hundred and fifty (550) while the prison capacity is one hundred and sixty (160) persons. Because of this (overcrowding), on 28th August 2024, the head of judiciary in Blue Nile state visited the governor of Blue Nile state and complained about the crowded Roseries prison. He advised that some detainees should be released due to bad conditions caused by the crowding and poor feeding of the prisoners. On 12th September 2024, a ceremony was organized at Roseries prison for the release of only thirtytwo (32) prisoners (inmates). Yet, the conditions at the prison remained poor with crowded prison cells. This ceremony was attended by the governor of Blue Nile state who had delivered a provoking speech in the presence of prisoners. HUDO Centre is concerned about the safety of civilians in Sudan during this difficult period of fighting between SAF and RSF and calls for the following: