The Education Ministry should immediately reinstate the seven university students suspended for alleged participation in a peaceful anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) demonstration, said the National Human Rights Society (Hakam).

Its president Ramdas Tikamdas, who described the suspension as a "flagrant misuse and abuse of laws" and "an unjust and arbitrary exercise of administrative powers", urged the Attorney-General to drop the charges against them.

He said the students' participation in the peaceful assembly was "a demonstration of social conscience" and that such awareness should be encouraged and not punished.