Ratu Thalisa, a Muslim transgender TikToker, faces prison time for remarks deemed blasphemous, sparking human rights outcry
TikToker Sentenced to Nearly Three Years in Jail for Blasphemy in Indonesia
TikToker Sentenced to Nearly Three Years in Jail for Blasphemy in Indonesia
Controversial ruling raises concerns over free speech and religious sensitivity
In a controversial ruling that ignites concerns over freedom of expression, an Indonesian TikToker known as Ratu Thalisa has been handed a nearly three-year prison sentence for allegedly blaspheming against Christianity. Thalisa, a popular transgender woman with over 442,000 followers, was convicted after making remarks on a livestream that included a plea to a picture of Jesus asking for a haircut.
The court's decision, issued in Medan, Sumatra, dictates a term of two years and ten months in prison, framing her comments as potential disruptors of “public order” and “religious harmony”. The sentence is anchored in Indonesia's contentious Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT) law, which criminalizes online hate speech, blasphemy, and immorality.
The case followed complaints from multiple Christian organizations, prompting a swift and severe legal response. Human rights advocates, including Amnesty International, have condemned the ruling, labeling it a "shocking attack" on Thalisa's rights to free expression. Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Director, stated that the EIT law should not be wielded against individuals for their social media expressions that do not incite hatred or violence.
Calls for the repeal or revision of problematic components of the EIT Law have intensified. Since its introduction in 2008, the law has faced backlash for potentially stifling free speech, with over 560 individuals charged under its provisions from 2019 to 2024, according to Amnesty International's reports.
Thalisa's case stands out in a country where a predominantly Muslim population often sees accusations of religious slights targeted against minority groups. Although the law's primary implications have historically impacted religious minorities, Thalisa's allegation, being a Muslim addressing Christianity, brings a rare twist in the narrative of religious tensions.
While prosecutors initially sought a more stringent sentence of over four years, Thalisa has been granted seven days to file an appeal. The outcry surrounding her sentence highlights the ongoing debate around digital freedoms and religious sensitivities within Indonesia's diverse society.
The court's decision, issued in Medan, Sumatra, dictates a term of two years and ten months in prison, framing her comments as potential disruptors of “public order” and “religious harmony”. The sentence is anchored in Indonesia's contentious Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT) law, which criminalizes online hate speech, blasphemy, and immorality.
The case followed complaints from multiple Christian organizations, prompting a swift and severe legal response. Human rights advocates, including Amnesty International, have condemned the ruling, labeling it a "shocking attack" on Thalisa's rights to free expression. Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Director, stated that the EIT law should not be wielded against individuals for their social media expressions that do not incite hatred or violence.
Calls for the repeal or revision of problematic components of the EIT Law have intensified. Since its introduction in 2008, the law has faced backlash for potentially stifling free speech, with over 560 individuals charged under its provisions from 2019 to 2024, according to Amnesty International's reports.
Thalisa's case stands out in a country where a predominantly Muslim population often sees accusations of religious slights targeted against minority groups. Although the law's primary implications have historically impacted religious minorities, Thalisa's allegation, being a Muslim addressing Christianity, brings a rare twist in the narrative of religious tensions.
While prosecutors initially sought a more stringent sentence of over four years, Thalisa has been granted seven days to file an appeal. The outcry surrounding her sentence highlights the ongoing debate around digital freedoms and religious sensitivities within Indonesia's diverse society.
