Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, Canada, has raised alarm over the arrest of 24‑year‑old Tamil hip hop artist Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, known as Hiphop Sangee, under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). 

In a post on ‘X’, the Brampton Mayor described the move as “a flagrant violation of free speech,” stressing that criminalizing an artist for expressing his identity and sharing music undermines democratic values. 

Brown noted that successive Sri Lankan governments have repeatedly pledged to repeal the PTA but continue to weaponize it to silence dissent. 

“Since the height of the Tamil genocide in 2009, Tamils still live under intense military surveillance and systemic oppression,” he said, adding that the arrest underscores the importance of remembrance projects such as the Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton. 

He called for Ganeskumar’s immediate release and joined global human rights organizations in demanding the total abolishment of the PTA.

His comments came following concerns raised by Amnesty International South Asia, which highlighted ongoing misuse of the PTA despite government promises to repeal the law.

In a post on ‘X’, Amnesty criticized the legislation’s “overly broad provisions” and incompatibility with international human rights standards. 

The organization pointed to Ganeskumar’s arrest on June 2, noting that he has been remanded until June 17 over a performance authorities claim glorified the LTTE. 

Amnesty argued that the PTA’s vague offences do not align with international law and urged Sri Lankan authorities to release him unless charged with a recognizable offence under fair trial standards. 

“Sri Lankan authorities must immediately release Sangeethan Ganeshkumar unless he is promptly charged with an internationally recognisable offence in proceedings consistent with international fair trial standards,” Amnesty said.

Amnesty also flagged due process concerns in other cases, including the detention of former State Intelligence Service Chief Suresh Salley, arrested in February in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. Families and lawyers have alleged inhumane treatment in custody. 

The organization stressed that suspects must be brought to justice through strict adherence to due process and fair trial rights, while victims of the bombings deserve truth, justice, and reparations. 

Amnesty further noted that the PTA has been invoked in drug‑related cases, raising questions about its scope and application, warning that the Act enables arbitrary practices and creates conditions conducive to torture due to the absence of safeguards.

Amnesty International has called on Sri Lankan authorities to promptly investigate allegations of abuse and misuse of the PTA, ensure full due process guarantees for all detainees, impose an immediate moratorium on its use, and repeal the legislation without delay. (Newswire)

Deeply concerned by the arrest of 24-year-old Tamil hip hop artist Sangeethsan Ganeskumar (known as Hiphop Sangee) in Sri Lanka under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Criminalizing an artist for expressing his identity and sharing music is a flagrant violation of… https://t.co/gebBuuBcRn

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) June 8, 2026

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US lawmakers, officials from both the Biden and Trump administrations, and Amnesty International, on Tuesday called for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan and an end to the use of “excessive force” against PTI protesters.

A particularly notable statement came from Richard Grenell, former Director of National Intelligence under the Trump administration and a key figure in Trump’s transition team.

Grenell, who has also been selected to lead peace talks with Russia over Ukraine, issued a succinct demand on his official Twitter account: “Release Imran Khan.”

He accompanied the statement with a Bloomberg report on the unfolding situation in Islamabad.

Another member of the first Trump administration, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, expressed concern about the reported shoot-at-sight order, calling it “a catastrophic mistake”.

“This is not the way to enforce law and order. For the sake of Pakistan and its future, the order must be rescinded immediately, and a reconciliation process, with assistance from Pakistan’s friends, must start immediately,” he wrote in a tweet.

As the US media highlighted the events of the last two days, members of the US Congress also intensified their criticism of Pakistan’s political and human rights situation, calling for the release of all political prisoners, including Imran Khan, and condemning the suppression of protests and dissent.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, a Muslim lawmaker from Michigan, described the repression of protesters in Pakistan and the escalation of political violence as “an attempt to suppress democracy and human rights”.

She expressed solidarity with the Pakistani people, saying, “I stand with the brave Pakistanis who are rising up and protesting for change”.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, co-chair of the Human Rights Caucus, emphasised the importance of fundamental freedoms.

“Freedom of speech and the freedom to peacefully protest are essential to democracy — that holds true in the United States, in Pakistan, and around the globe,” she stated, expressing support for pro-democracy advocates in Pakistan fighting for justice and human rights.

Congressman Ro Khanna also voiced his concern over recent developments.

“Deeply concerned by reports that the regime in Pakistan is cutting internet, blocking roads, and abducting activists this weekend,” he said, underscoring his commitment to freedom of speech and a free internet as the representative for Silicon Valley.

Representative Summer Lee praised the resilience of Pakistani protesters. “I am moved by the bravery demonstrated by the Pakistani people as they protest for electoral integrity and judicial fairness,” she said, condemning any violent suppression of their fundamental rights.

Congressman Brad Sherman highlighted ongoing human rights abuses, including “disappearances, forced conversions”, and abuses of the blasphemy law.

He also condemned sectarian violence in the Kurram district, which has claimed over 80 lives, and reaffirmed the right of Imran Khan’s supporters to peacefully demonstrate.

Several lawmakers referred to this statement while urging Pakistani authorities to uphold democratic principles and respect citizens’ rights.

These remarks underscore the growing bipartisan concern in the US over the political and human rights situation in Pakistan and the treatment of those advocating for change.

Amnesty International has also raised serious concerns about the handling of protests by the Pakistani authorities, particularly the excessive use of force.

“The government must fully protect and ensure the rights of protesters and immediately rescind the ‘shoot-on-sight’ orders that provide undue and excessive powers to the military,” it stated. (Dawn)

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The Sri Lanka Army has declared a month-long General Amnesty from 20 April to 20 May (2024) to all Army absentees, enabling them to receive an official discharge from their respective services.

According to the Sri Lanka Army, the General Amnesty has been granted on the directive of the Ministry of Defence.

This General Amnesty is applicable to all Officers/Other Ranks who have been absent without leave (AWOL) prior to April 02, 2024. 

The Sri Lanka Army emphasized that the end date of the General Amnesty will not be extended under any circumstances. (Newswire)

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Frowning on the use of water cannons, tear gas and excessive force against the Baloch Long March protestors in Islamabad on Thursday, Amnesty International has said that it was ‘deeply concerned’ over the crackdown.

It reiterated its demand to release all the protesters and drop the charges against them.

“Amnesty has reviewed videos showing water cannons, tear gas and batons being used against the protestors. Dozens have been detained and several others injured, including women, minors and elderly persons, violating their rights to liberty, security and protest,” the Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office said, taking to X.

“Amnesty International reiterates its demands that the Government of Pakistan – Immediately release all protestors, and drop any charges brought against them for solely exercising their right to freedom of expression and right to protest,” it added.

Amnesty also called for an impartial investigation of all extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

Taking to X, it posted, “Conduct an impartial investigation of all extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan, in line with international standards. Compensate families of victims of extrajudicial killings and those forcibly disappeared.”

Meanwhile, the Official Account of Baloch Yakjahti Committee-Kech posted a video on X, that showed scenes from Barkhan Rukni where the Baloch people have blocked the main highway of Punjab to Balochistan against ‘state terrorism’ in Islamabad.

“All the highways of Balochistan will be closed while the movement against state terrorism and Baloch genocide will be started in Balochistan from today,” the council said.

“Let the state remember that they have not only tortured a few people, but they have declared war against the Baloch nation. By attacking Baloch mothers and sisters, the state has made it clear to the Baloch nation that the state considers Balochistan as its colony and does not consider the people here as human beings,” the Baloch Yakjahti Committee said in a post on X.

Islamabad police dispersed the Baloch protesters late at night on Thursday as the long march against alleged extrajudicial killings in Balochistan continued in full swing, VOA Urdu reported.

A water cannon was used for this purpose while many people, including women, were arrested too.

Following the violence, the President of Baloch Voice Association (BVA), Munir Mengal said that Pakistan should be held accountable for what they have done against the Baloch activists.

“Pakistan shall be held accountable for using chemicals on the Baloch peacefully protestors demanding Stop Baloch Genocide. The protestors, including many Baloch Women, marched from Quetta to Islamabad,” he posted on X.

Meanwhile, political activist Mahrang Baloch has said that all the protesters are arrested.

“All of the protesters are arrested and kept in different stations, at this time they are taking woman and children to another station. We are unable to connect to our male fellows, we fear that the state will abduct them,” she wrote on X, informing of the situation.

The Balochistan Yakjehti committee had asked the Baloch people to gather in front of Balochistan University on Thursday, from where the movement against the ongoing state violence against Baloch mothers and sisters in Islamabad will be launched.

The committee noted that the Baloch Long March against alleged Baloch genocide, illegal forced disappearance of the people, killing of missing persons by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in fake encounters and the activity of death squads across Balochistan had seen widespread support. (ANI)

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