Thailand Muslim deaths condemned as 'holocaust'

Malaysia’s largest Islamic opposition party denounced the Thai government today after 85 Muslims died during a military crackdown on protesters in the country’s south.

Hatta Ramli, a senior official with the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, said those killed – including at least 78 detainees who suffocated or were crushed to death after being packed into trucks – were victims of “a holocaust which the Thai government is responsible for".

The Islamic party, which has about 800,000 members, holds power in the northern state of Kelantan which borders Thailand’s Muslim dominated southern provinces that have been wracked by separatist violence.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi expressed serious concern late Tuesday over the violence and urged the Thai government “to manage this crisis so that it will not spread and inflame further violence".

But Hatta described the government’s stand as “too soft” and demanded it pressure Thailand into restraining its military.

“Innocent villagers are being killed by overzealous authorities which will surely bring reprisals,” said Hatta. “Malaysia must send a strong message that it does not condone any use of excessive force by the Thai government.”

Hatta also said Malaysia should initiate discussions among Islamic countries to find ways to prod Thailand into securing peace through talks with local Muslim leaders. Malaysia is chairman of the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference.