The mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, has called for the immediate release of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, known professionally as Hiphop Sangee, who has been imprisoned since his arrest under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
In a statement posted on X, Brown described the arrest of the 24-year-old as a "flagrant violation of free speech" and criticised the Sri Lankan government's continued use of the PTA against the musician.
"Criminalizing an artist for expressing his identity and sharing music is a flagrant violation of free speech," he said.
Brown argued that freedom of expression is "a fundamental pillar of any democracy" and criticised successive Sri Lankan governments for failing to honour their commitments to repeal the legislation.
"Yet, consecutive Sri Lankan governments have repeatedly promised the international community they would repeal the PTA, only to break those promises and continue weaponizing it to silence dissent."
The Brampton mayor also linked the arrest to the broader situation facing Tamils in Sri Lanka, stating that the community continues to live under "intense military surveillance and systemic oppression" since the "height of the Tamil genocide in 2009." He argued that cases such as Sangeethsan's underline the importance of remembrance initiatives including the Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton.
"It is essential for community healing, remembrance, and raising global awareness about the ongoing plight of Tamils," he said.
Brown joined international rights groups in calling for the abolition of the PTA and demanded Sangeethsan's immediate release.
"I call for the immediate release of Sangeethsan Ganeskumar and join global human rights organizations in demanding the total abolishment of the PTA."
Sangeethsan was arrested by the Jaffna Police Crime Division on 2 June after authorities alleged that he had edited videos of a performance at a temple festival in Navatkuli, Chavakachcheri, on 31 May and uploaded them to social media in a manner that promoted the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He was produced before the Chavakachcheri Magistrate's Court under Section 03(g) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1978 and remanded until 17 June.
The arrest has drawn widespread condemnation from Tamil political parties, civil society organisations and rights groups, with protests held across the North-East demanding his release.
