Indonesian TikToker Ratu Thalisa Jailed for Blasphemy

Ratu Thalisa, a transgender Muslim TikTok influencer in Indonesia, has been sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison for hate speech against Christianity after a comment made during a live stream. The controversy arose when Thalisa responded to a viewer's suggestion to cut her hair by holding up a picture of Jesus and saying he should also cut his hair. Her comments led to complaints from five Christian groups, resulting in her arrest under Indonesia's Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT) law, which has drawn criticism for its vague provisions. Critics, including Amnesty International, argue that the sentence represents an attack on freedom of expression and call for the repeal of problematic sections of the EIT law. Human rights advocates assert that Thalisa's remarks did not incite violence or hatred and highlight the arbitrary enforcement of the law against those expressing unpopular views. The case underscores broader issues of religious sensitivity and freedom of speech in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country.