A recent court verdict has sparked outrage among human rights organizations, as a TikToker in Indonesia faces a 2 year and 10-month prison term for comments made during a viral livestream where she advised Jesus to get a haircut.
Indonesian TikToker Sentenced for Blasphemy Over Haircut Comment
Indonesian TikToker Sentenced for Blasphemy Over Haircut Comment
A Muslim transgender woman has been jailed for almost three years after allegedly insulting Jesus during a livestream.
Indonesian TikToker, Ratu Thalisa, who has a substantial following on the platform, stirred controversy after responding to a viewer's comment about her hairstyle. The court ruling occurred in Medan, Sumatra, where she was charged under a contentious hate-speech law. Observers critical of the verdict argue that Thalisa's comments did not constitute hate speech or blasphemy. The ruling followed multiple complaints from Christian groups accusing her of disrespecting religious sentiments.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have expressed deep concern regarding the implications of this verdict on freedom of expression. The organization's Executive Director, Usman Hamid, called the sentence a "shocking attack on Ratu Thalisa's freedom of expression," urging Indonesian authorities to review the conviction and amend the Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT) Law to prevent further misuse against social media users.
Introduced in 2008 and amended in 2016, the EIT Law has faced criticism for allegedly stifling freedom of expression, with at least 560 individuals charged for violations related to expressing opinions online between 2019 and 2024.
While Indonesia boasts a diverse religious population, including significant Christian and Hindu minorities, the majority of the population practices Islam. Many cases prosecuted under the EIT Law have targeted those accused of offending Islamic beliefs, making Thalisa's situation particularly notable. Prosecutors initially sought a sentence exceeding four years, and she now has seven days to appeal the verdict.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have expressed deep concern regarding the implications of this verdict on freedom of expression. The organization's Executive Director, Usman Hamid, called the sentence a "shocking attack on Ratu Thalisa's freedom of expression," urging Indonesian authorities to review the conviction and amend the Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT) Law to prevent further misuse against social media users.
Introduced in 2008 and amended in 2016, the EIT Law has faced criticism for allegedly stifling freedom of expression, with at least 560 individuals charged for violations related to expressing opinions online between 2019 and 2024.
While Indonesia boasts a diverse religious population, including significant Christian and Hindu minorities, the majority of the population practices Islam. Many cases prosecuted under the EIT Law have targeted those accused of offending Islamic beliefs, making Thalisa's situation particularly notable. Prosecutors initially sought a sentence exceeding four years, and she now has seven days to appeal the verdict.
