A/HRC/18/40 up more political space for the full realization of human rights. In spite of the goodwill engendered by the successful conduct of the South Sudan referendum, there remains a lack of meaningful and regular dialogue between the Government and civil society organizations for the promotion and protection of human rights. 17. Cases of arbitrary arrest and detention by the National Security Service (NSS) remained a major concern during the reporting period. The body continues to arrest and detain people for prolonged periods without charge, and sometimes without the possibility of family visits. There were also allegations of incommunicado detention, torture and other forms of ill-treatment of detainees by the NSS. The independent expert’s repeated requests to meet with the Director General of the NSS to discuss these concerns were declined during both of his visits to the Sudan during the reporting period. 18. Between late October and early November 2010, a group of human rights activists from Darfur affiliated with a radio station (Radio Dabanga) were arrested and held incommunicado by the NSS. The detainees were not charged, provided with counsel or given the opportunity to challenge the lawfulness of their detention. Nine of the activists were released between 13 and 21 January 2011, while five remained in custody. One of the released activists told human rights monitors that he had been beaten by NSS agents during interrogation sessions. On 13 February, four of the released activists were re-arrested. Six of them are currently standing trial for various offences under the Criminal Act 1991, three of which carry the death penalty. 19. Following the demonstration in January 2011 in Khartoum and other places in Northern Sudan, UNMIS documented more than 100 arrests made by the NSS. Most of the detainees were released the same day. More than 30, however, remained in detention until the end of February without being charged. Many of them reported having been mistreated while in NSS custody. During the same time, a number of targeted arrests of journalists and other persons working in the media were made. Six journalists working for local newspapers were arrested by the NSS and one foreign news media journalist was arrested 8