A recent court ruling in Indonesia has sparked international outrage and concern regarding the limits of free speech in a diverse religious landscape.
Indonesian TikToker Sentenced for Blasphemy Over Remarks on Jesus' Hair
Indonesian TikToker Sentenced for Blasphemy Over Remarks on Jesus' Hair
Unique case raises questions about freedom of expression and Indonesia's controversial EIT Law.
Ratu Thalisa, a prominent Indonesian TikToker with a considerable following, has been sentenced to two years and ten months in prison after making comments during a livestream that allegedly constituted blasphemy. On her livestream, Thalisa, who is a transgender Muslim, humorously addressed a viewer’s suggestion that she should cut her hair to appear more masculine by telling a picture of Jesus on her phone to get a haircut.
Her comments, made in response to a viewer's suggestion during her broadcast, led to complaints from several Christian organizations, accusing her of spreading hatred through blasphemy. The court ruled that her remarks could disrupt public order and religious harmony in Indonesia, a nation with a significant Muslim majority and multiple religious minorities.
Human rights advocates, including Amnesty International, have condemned the verdict as a severe infringement on freedom of expression. They characterize the ruling as a troubling misuse of Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT) Law, originally enacted to regulate online conduct but criticized for its vague language that can penalize various forms of speech.
Amnesty’s Executive Director in Indonesia, Usman Hamid, called the ruling “a shocking attack” on Thalisa’s rights and urged the government to reverse the conviction while also reconsidering the key elements of the EIT Law that punish alleged immorality and defamation. Despite the backlash, representatives from the prosecution have stated they believe the sentence is justified and have indicated plans to appeal.
Thalisa’s case reflects a larger pattern in Indonesia, where numerous individuals have faced similar charges, particularly regarding comments perceived as blasphemous against Islam. However, her conviction is notable as it involves a Muslim woman being charged with hate speech against Christianity.
Given the contentious nature of the ruling, observers are closely monitoring how this incident will impact both the freedom of expression landscape and the treatment of religious minorities in Indonesia. Ms. Thalisa has seven days to appeal her sentence while the implications of this case continue to unfold in Indonesian society and beyond.
