An Indonesian TikToker, Ratu Thalisa, has been sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison for blasphemy after a video of her mocking Jesus went viral.
Thalisa, a Muslim transgender woman with over 442,000 TikTok followers, was found guilty of spreading hatred under Indonesia’s controversial Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT) Law.
During a livestream, Thalisa responded to a comment suggesting she cut her hair to look more like a man by “talking” to a picture of Jesus and telling him to get a haircut. The court in Medan, Sumatra, ruled that her comments could disrupt “public order” and “religious harmony,” leading to her conviction.
The sentencing has caused controversy among human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which called the verdict “a shocking attack on Ratu Thalisa’s freedom of expression.” Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, urged authorities to overturn the conviction and ensure her immediate release.
Hamid criticized the EIT Law, stating that while Indonesia should prohibit incitement to religious hatred, Thalisa’s comments did not meet that threshold. He also called for the repeal or revision of the law’s “problematic provisions,” which criminalize alleged immorality, defamation, and hate speech.
Indonesia’s EIT Law Under Scrutiny
The EIT Law, introduced in 2008 and amended in 2016, was designed to protect individuals’ rights in online spaces. However, it has faced widespread criticism for its potential to suppress freedom of expression. Between 2019 and 2024, at least 560 people were charged under the law, with 421 convicted, according to Amnesty International.
The law has been used to target social media influencers and religious minorities, often resulting in harsh penalties for perceived offenses. Thalisa’s case is notable because it involves a Muslim woman accused of blasphemy against Christianity, a less common scenario in Indonesia, where most cases involve religious minorities allegedly insulting Islam.
Previous Cases of Blasphemy in Indonesia
Thalisa’s case is not an isolated incident. In September 2023, a Muslim woman was sentenced to two years in prison for blasphemy after posting a TikTok video where she recited an Islamic phrase before eating pork. In 2024, another TikToker was detained for blasphemy after posting a quiz asking children which animals could read the Quran.
These cases highlight the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with religious sensitivities in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country with significant religious minorities, including Buddhists, Christians, and Hindus.
Prosecutors had initially demanded a sentence of more than four years for Thalisa and immediately appealed the court’s decision after the verdict was announced. Thalisa has been given seven days to file her own appeal.
The case has reignited debates about the EIT Law and its impact on free speech in Indonesia. Critics argue that the law is often used to silence dissent and target marginalized groups, while supporters claim it is necessary to maintain social harmony.
The outcome of Thalisa’s appeal is being closely watched as it could set a precedent for future cases involving freedom of expression and religious sensitivities in Indonesia.
