Human rights group Amnesty International has urged the government to drop charges of illegal gathering against seven university students who may be jailed if found guilty.

"Amnesty International expressed concern that the charges violate the rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association and called for the charges against the students to be dropped," the London-based group said in a statement.

The seven students were arrested in June 2001 for participating in a peaceful protest against the draconian Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.