By Capital Watch Media
Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of Ratu Thalisa, an Indonesian TikToker sentenced to two years and ten months in prison for insulting Jesus Christ.
Ms Thalisa, a trans woman, was convicted of hate speech against Christianity by a district court in Medan, North Sumatra province, on Monday.
The court ruled that her comments on social media violated Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transactions, EIT, law.
Usman Hamid, Amnesty International Indonesia’s executive director, criticised the ruling in a statement released on Tuesday.
“This prison sentence is a shocking attack on Ratu Thalisa’s freedom of expression,” he said.
Mr Hamid argued that the EIT law was being used arbitrarily and repressively, calling for immediate action.
“The authorities must quash Ratu Thalisa’s conviction and ensure her immediate and unconditional release,” he added.
The EIT law has faced widespread criticism for its broad and vague provisions, often used to suppress dissent and free speech.
Amnesty International has repeatedly urged Indonesia to amend the law to prevent misuse.
According to Amnesty, Ms Thalisa’s comments did not incite violence, discrimination, or hostility — the internationally recognised threshold for criminalising hate speech.
“Her speech act does not reach that threshold,” Mr Hamid stated.
The case has sparked debate in Indonesia and beyond, with human rights groups warning of increasing restrictions on freedom of expression.
Many activists have called for a review of the EIT law’s application in similar cases.
Local media reports indicate that Ms Thalisa’s legal team plans to appeal the verdict. They maintain that her comments, while controversial, were not intended to provoke hatred or violence.
“We believe this sentence is disproportionate and unjust,” said one of Ms Thalisa’s lawyers.
“We will pursue every legal avenue to challenge this decision.”
As pressure mounts on Indonesian authorities, Amnesty International and other rights organisations continue to advocate for reforms that protect free speech and prevent the misuse of legal frameworks.
