A/HRC/10/8/Add.1 page 42 individuals for peacefully exercising their internationally recognized human rights. They further demand that all detainees be retried in open hearings respecting fair trial standards and the immediate release of their defence counsels. The experts reiterate previous calls to initiate reforms for a transition to a multiparty democratic and civil government, as envisaged by the new Constitution. In this context, they strongly urge the authorities to immediately commence work on ensuring those indispensable pre-conditions for free and fair general elections to be held in 2010. These include a comprehensive review of national legislation to ensure its compliance with international human rights standards, the release of political prisoners of conscience, and reform of the armed forces and the judicial system.” Pakistan Communication sent on 7 July 2008 jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the right to education 158. The Special Rapporteurs brought to the attention of the Government information they had received concerning the suspension of the following 23 Ahmadi students at Punjab Medical College in Faisalabad: Ms. Mariam Mubarik, Ms. Suna Nisar, Ms. Nabila Qudsia, Ms. Rabia Shafique, Ms. Hamaira Sadid’, Ms. Mansoora Samar, Ms. Kanwal Rohman Qaisrani, Ms. Bina Munawar Bajwa, Ms. Rabina Aslam, Ms. Shamamu Tul Amber, Ms. Zabda Nasir, Ms. Nosheen Zufar, Ms. Hiba Tul Qadoor, Ms. Hiba Tul Hameed, Ms. Mansoora Ismail, Mr. Anas, Mr. Haroon, Mr. Hisan, Mr. Hussan, Mr. Zaka Ulluh, Mr. Dawood, Mr. Zeeshan and Mr. Kashil. These 23 Ahmadi students were reportedly expelled (“rusticated”) on 6 June 2008 from Punjab Medical College in Faisalabad, for “religious dispute” and “hate material distribution”. The expulsion followed a report from a disciplinary committee of the college after rumors that Ahmadi students were preaching their religion in the college. On the night of 4 June 2008, a local cleric allegedly gave a sermon in the college mosque instigating students against Ahmadis, following which four Ahmadi students were brought from the hostel and taken to a room where they were insulted and badly mistreated by fellow students. Subsequently, 15 Ahmadi students were told to evacuate the hostel in the middle of the night. 159. On 5 June 2008, a mob surrounded the Principal’s office demanding that all Ahmadi students be expelled from the college. The Principal convened a disciplinary committee, which reportedly did not allow the Ahmadi students to provide any clarifications. On 6 June 2008, the Principal issued a notification for the rustication of the above mentioned 23 Ahmadi students from the college, which was converted on 10 June 2008, by the college administration, into a ten day suspension. 160. However, the above mentioned 23 Ahmadi students have not been permitted to return to the Punjab Medical College on 21 June 2008 and remain suspended. Furthermore, a college committee asked them to provide written statements on their religion and warned them of being legally responsible for what they write. Punjab Medical College, an institution of the Government of Punjab, reportedly requires applicants to declare themselves either Muslim or Non-Muslim in its admission form. Those Ahmadi students who in accordance with their belief had indicated in the admission forms that they were Muslims may face legal problems since section 298C of the Pakistan Penal Code prohibits Ahmadis to refer to their faith as Islam.