South & Southeast Asia
In 1971 the Pakistan Army and allied militias killed Bengali civilians, mostly Muslims, across East Pakistan, from Operation Searchlight in Dhaka to the killing of intellectuals in December; estimates range from 300,000 to 3 million. In Cambodia the Khmer Rouge (1975–79) banned Islam, destroyed mosques and killed tens of thousands of Cham Muslims; the UN-backed court found genocide of the Cham in 2018. In the southern Philippines Moro Muslims were killed at Jabidah, Manili, Tacub and Malisbong, and military bombing destroyed much of Marawi in 2017. In southern Thailand soldiers stormed Krue Se mosque and 78 Malay Muslim detainees died in army trucks at Tak Bai in 2004, with no one punished. In Sri Lanka Muslims were massacred in mosques and expelled from the North in 1990, attacked by Buddhist nationalist mobs in 2014, 2018 and 2019, and forced to cremate their COVID-19 dead. Bangladesh's own governments later disappeared critics and shot protesters, from Shapla Chattar in 2013 to July 2024.
Key numbers
Who is responsible
Pakistan Army and the Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams militias (1971); the Khmer Rouge regime, with Nuon Chea convicted of genocide of the Cham; the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Constabulary under Marcos, and the Ilaga militia; the Royal Thai Army and police; the LTTE and Sinhala Buddhist nationalist mobs in Sri Lanka, and the Rajapaksa government (cremation rule); Bangladesh's RAB, police and DGFI under the Awami League government; the Indonesian army; the Royal Malaysia Police.
Timeline
- 1968 Jabidah: Moro recruits shot on Corregidor.
- 1971 Operation Searchlight (25 March) begins nine months of killings in East Pakistan; intellectuals killed 14 December.
- 1971 Manili mosque massacre (June) and Tacub (October) in Mindanao.
- 1974 Jolo burned (February); Malisbong mosque massacre (September).
- 1975 Khmer Rouge take power; Cham villages crushed, Islam banned, mosques destroyed until 1979.
- 1984 Tanjung Priok: Indonesian soldiers fire on Muslim protesters.
- 1985 Memali: Malaysian police siege kills 14 villagers.
- 1989 Talangsari: army storms a religious community in Lampung.
- 1990 Kattankudy and Eravur massacres; LTTE expels 72,000 Muslims from the North.
- 2004 Krue Se mosque assault and Tak Bai deaths in southern Thailand.
- 2013 Shapla Chattar: Hefazat sit-in in Dhaka cleared by force.
- 2014 Aluthgama anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka.
- 2017 Marawi destroyed; 360,000 displaced.
- 2018 Digana riots; ECCC finds genocide of the Cham.
- 2019 Sri Lanka bans face veils; May riots destroy 540 Muslim properties.
- 2020 Sri Lanka forces cremation of Muslim COVID-19 dead (until Feb 2021).
- 2024 Up to 1,400 protesters killed in Bangladesh; Tak Bai case expires unpunished.
- 2025 Thailand deports 40 Uyghurs to China.
Records (38)
Jabidah massacre, Corregidor
On 18 March 1968 Moro recruits, young Tausug and Sama men from Sulu trained for a secret operation (Operation Merdeka), were shot by soldiers on Corregidor island. One man, Jibin Arula, escaped. Accounts of the dead range from 11 to about 200; the officers were acquitted.
11–200 killed
Source: Bangsamoro Government: Remembering Jabidah · Wikipedia: Jabidah massacre
Mass rape of women in 1971
During the 1971 war Pakistani forces and collaborators raped an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 women. Both Muslim and Hindu Bengali women were targeted.
Source: Wikipedia: Bangladesh genocide
1971 killings in East Pakistan
From 25 March 1971 the Pakistan Army and allied militias killed Bengali civilians across East Pakistan until the surrender of 16 December 1971. Most victims were Bengali Muslims; Hindus were especially targeted, and Awami League members, students and intellectuals were singled out. Estimates differ widely: Bangladesh says up to 3 million, independent researchers about 300,000–500,000, and Pakistan's Hamoodur Rahman Commission 26,000.
300,000–3,000,000 killed
Source: Wikipedia: Bangladesh genocide
Operation Searchlight, Dhaka
On the night of 25 March 1971 the Pakistan Army attacked Dhaka: the university halls, Rajarbagh police lines, the EPR headquarters at Pilkhana and old Dhaka. Home and foreign sources put the dead in Dhaka that night at about 7,000; the exact toll is unknown.
7,000 killed
Source: Banglapedia: Operation Searchlight · Wikipedia: Operation Searchlight
Dhaka University halls attacked
On 25–26 March 1971 troops of the 18th and 32nd Punjab regiments assaulted the Dhaka University residential halls, including Iqbal Hall and Jagannath Hall. Sources say over a hundred students and about nine or ten teachers were killed; Simon Dring reported 200 students killed at Iqbal Hall alone.
100–300 killed
Source: Banglapedia: Operation Searchlight · Wikipedia: Operation Searchlight
Manili mosque massacre
On 19 June 1971 Moro Muslims, including women and children, gathered in a mosque in Manili for supposed peace talks were attacked with guns, grenades and blades; about 70 to 106 were killed. The Ilaga militia was suspected, with allegations that the Philippine Constabulary took part; no one was held to account.
70–106 killed
Source: Wikipedia: Manili massacre
Tacub massacre
On 24 October 1971 Moro voters returning from polling places in Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte, were killed at a military checkpoint; at least 40 died, other accounts say 66 or up to 140. The killers were identified as Philippine Army soldiers.
40–140 killed
Source: Wikipedia: Tacub massacre
Killing of the intellectuals, Rayerbazar
On the night of 14 December 1971, two days before the surrender, over 200 intellectuals were taken from their homes in Dhaka; many were killed at Rayerbazar and Mirpur. Banglapedia counts about 1,111 intellectuals killed in the whole war (991 educationists, 49 physicians, 42 lawyers, 13 journalists). The killings were carried out mainly by the Al-Badr and Al-Shams militias with the Pakistan army; in 2013 a Dhaka court sentenced two Al-Badr leaders to death in absentia for 18 of these killings.
1,111 killed
Source: Banglapedia: Killing of Intellectuals · Wikipedia: 1971 killing of Bengali intellectuals
Ban on Islam and Cham identity
From 1972 the Khmer Rouge forced Cham women to cut their hair short, banned the sarong and daily prayers, and renamed the Cham 'Islamic Khmers'. From mid-1976 only Khmer identity was allowed, the Cham language was banned, Qurans were burned and Cham Muslims were forced to raise pigs and eat pork; some were killed for refusing.
Source: Wikipedia: Cambodian genocide · Al Jazeera: The question of genocide and Cambodia's Muslims
Arrest of Cham leaders and teachers
In October 1973, after Cham Muslims beat drums at their mosques in defiance of Khmer Rouge restrictions in the Eastern Zone, many Cham leaders and religious teachers were arrested. In December 1974 a Cham revolt in Region 21 after more arrests was put down.
Source: Wikipedia: Cambodian genocide
Burning of Jolo
During fighting for Jolo on 4–11 February 1974 most of the town burned; about 40,000 civilians were left homeless. Sources blame the Armed Forces of the Philippines, whose napalm a US Embassy memo said may have added to the fire; the army blamed the rebels. Civilian deaths are disputed.
40,000 displaced
Source: Wikipedia: Burning of Jolo
Malisbong mosque massacre
From 24 September 1974, at the start of Ramadan, soldiers held about 700 to 1,000 Muslim men in Malisbong, Palimbang, and killed many over more than a month; survivors say men were made to dig their graves and that about 1,000 were killed in the mosque. About 3,000 women and children were detained, women were raped and 300 houses destroyed. Estimates of the dead range from under 200 to 3,000; in 2014 the state recognised 1,000 residents as martial-law victims.
700–1,000 detained300 mosques & sacred places destroyed
Source: Wikipedia: Palimbang massacre
Mosques of Cambodia destroyed
According to Cham sources, the Khmer Rouge destroyed 132 mosques and desecrated many others; Muslims could not practise their faith. By early 1988 only 20 of 113 prominent Cham clergy had survived.
132 mosques & sacred places destroyed
Source: Wikipedia: Cambodian genocide
Genocide of the Cham Muslims
Under Khmer Rouge rule (1975–79) Cham Muslims were deported, dispersed and killed, and whole villages were wiped out; a 1979 order said 'the Cham nation no longer exists'. Death estimates range from about 80,000–100,000 of some 250,000 Cham to as many as 500,000. On 16 November 2018 the UN-backed court (ECCC) convicted Nuon Chea of genocide of the Cham.
80,000–500,000 killed
Source: Wikipedia: Cambodian genocide · Wikipedia: Cham people · Wikipedia: Nuon Chea
Crushing of Cham villages, 1975
In mid-1975 authorities in Region 21 of the Eastern Zone tried to seize Qurans and force short hair on Cham women; a protest was fired on and reinforcements wiped out the villagers. Cham resistance in two eastern villages in September–October 1975 was followed by killings and the dispersal of the Cham.
Source: Wikipedia: Cambodian genocide · Al Jazeera: The question of genocide and Cambodia's Muslims
Tanjung Priok massacre
On 12 September 1984, after soldiers removed leaflets from the As Saadah mosque and four men were detained, soldiers of the 6th Air Defence Artillery Battalion fired on a crowd of Muslim protesters in Tanjung Priok. The official toll was 24 dead; survivors say over 100, and community estimates reach 400. At least 169 civilians were held without warrants, some tortured.
24–400 killed169 detained
Source: Wikipedia: Tanjung Priok massacre · Wikipedia (Indonesian): Peristiwa Tanjung Priok
Memali incident
On 19 November 1985 about 200 police besieged Kampung Memali to arrest the PAS-aligned preacher Ibrahim Mahmud ('Ibrahim Libya') under the Internal Security Act. Fourteen villagers, including Ibrahim, and four police were killed, and 159 people were arrested.
14 killed159 detained
Source: Wikipedia: Memali Incident
Talangsari killings
On 7 February 1989 army and police units under Col. A. M. Hendropriyono stormed the religious community of Warsidi at Talangsari III, East Lampung; KontraS says soldiers had huts set on fire with people still inside. Komnas HAM counted 130 killed, 77 forcibly displaced and 46 tortured, and called it a gross human rights violation; other counts range from 27 to 246.
27–246 killed
Source: Wikipedia (Indonesian): Peristiwa Talangsari 1989 · Kompas · Wikipedia: Talangsari incident
Kattankudy mosque massacre
On 3 August 1990 gunmen stormed the Meera Jumma and Hussainiya mosques in Kattankudy during evening prayers, firing machine guns and throwing grenades. About 140 worshippers were killed and 125 wounded (later counts over 147). The LTTE was blamed and denied it.
140–147 killed
Source: Human Rights Watch (Asia Watch) · Wikipedia: Kattankudy mosque massacre
Eravur massacre
On the night of 11–12 August 1990 attackers with knives, guns and grenades killed Muslim villagers in Saddam Hussein, Pooaikadu and Kalawaichanai villages near Eravur. The government's count was 115 men, 27 women and 31 children; other accounts say nearly 200. The LTTE denied it.
173–200 killed
Source: Human Rights Watch (Asia Watch)
Expulsion of Muslims from the North
In October 1990 the LTTE expelled about 72,000 Muslims from the Northern Province: about 38,000 from Mannar, 20,000 from Jaffna and Kilinochchi, 9,000 from Vavuniya and 5,000 from Mullaitivu. In Jaffna they were given two hours to leave with 150 rupees and one set of clothes; most ended up in Puttalam.
72,000 displaced
Source: Wikipedia: Expulsion of Muslims from the Northern Province
Torture of Malay Muslims in custody
Thai security forces have tortured, killed and abused ethnic Malay Muslims in custody during counterinsurgency operations in the southern border provinces, with impunity; authorities often paid families to avoid prosecution. HRW has documented at least 20 Muslims 'disappeared' in police custody.
Source: Human Rights Watch, World Report 2025 · Human Rights Watch, World Report 2026
Disappearance of lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit
Somchai Neelapaijit, a Muslim lawyer defending Muslim suspects from Narathiwat and calling for an end to martial law in the south, was dragged from his car in Bangkok on 12 March 2004 and never seen again. One police officer was jailed for three years in 2006; the prime minister said officials were implicated, but the case was closed in 2016.
1 detained
Source: Wikipedia: Somchai Neelapaijit
Krue Se mosque assault
On 28 April 2004 the army stormed the 16th-century Krue Se mosque in Pattani after a seven-hour standoff and killed all 32 armed men inside, against the defence minister's order to end it peacefully. A government commission found the forces over-reacted; a senator said most were shot in the head with signs of tied wrists.
32 killed
Source: Wikipedia: Krue Se Mosque · Wikipedia: South Thailand insurgency
Tak Bai deaths
On 25 October 2004 soldiers and police broke up a protest of Malay Muslims at Tak Bai police station: 7 were shot dead, and about 1,300 men were arrested and stacked in 26 army trucks, where 78 died of suffocation on the way to an army camp in Pattani. No one was tried; the case expired in October 2024.
85 killed1,292–1,370 detained
Source: Human Rights Watch, World Report 2025 · Wikipedia: Tak Bai incident
Emergency rule in the far south
Since July 2005 an Emergency Decree has given security forces wide powers in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat; it was extended for the 68th time in 2022. Officials and soldiers acting under it have largely escaped prosecution.
Enforced disappearances under the Awami League government
From 2009 to 2024 RAB, police Detective Branch and other agencies forcibly disappeared critics and opposition members. Rights groups counted 677 disappeared in 2009–2023 (and at least 2,699 extrajudicial killings); Odhikar counts over 700, nearly 100 still missing. The interim government set up an inquiry commission on 27 August 2024.
677 detained
Source: Wikipedia: Enforced disappearances in Bangladesh · Human Rights Watch, World Report 2025
Shapla Chattar crackdown on Hefazat
On 5–6 May 2013 police, RAB and border guards cleared a sit-in of the Hefazat-e-Islam movement at Shapla Chattar, Motijheel, at night. Human Rights Watch counted at least 58 dead in Dhaka on 5–6 May, seven of them security personnel; Odhikar counted 61 and was then raided, its secretary arrested; the government said 11.
51–61 killed
Source: Human Rights Watch: Blood on the Streets · Wikipedia: 2013 Shapla Square protests
Aluthgama anti-Muslim riots
On 15–17 June 2014, after a Bodu Bala Sena rally in Aluthgama, Sinhala Buddhist mobs attacked Muslim homes, shops and mosques in Aluthgama, Beruwala and Dharga Town. At least four people were killed, over 80 injured and about 8,000 Muslims displaced; residents said police did little to stop it.
4 killed8,000 displaced
Disappearance of Amri Che Mat
Amri Che Mat, a social activist in Perlis, was abducted on 24 November 2016 and has not been seen since. In April 2019 the national human rights commission SUHAKAM concluded that the police Special Branch was responsible for his disappearance and that of Pastor Raymond Koh.
1 detained
Source: Wikipedia: Amri Che Mat · Malay Mail
Destruction of Marawi
During the five-month battle between the army and IS-linked militants (23 May–23 October 2017), military bombing destroyed whole neighbourhoods of Marawi. 360,000 people were displaced within a month; 3,152 buildings were destroyed, and Amnesty found security forces detained and ill-treated fleeing civilians and looted homes. About 70,000 people were still displaced in March 2019.
200,000–360,000 displaced3,152 mosques & sacred places destroyed
Ampara and Digana anti-Muslim riots
From 26 February 2018 in Ampara and 2–10 March in Kandy district (Digana, Teldeniya) Sinhala Buddhist mobs attacked Muslims, mosques, homes and shops; two people died. The government declared a state of emergency and blocked social media; CCTV later suggested some police aided rioters.
2 killed
Face-veil ban
On 29 April 2019, after the Easter bombings, the government banned all face coverings, including the burqa and niqab.
May 2019 anti-Muslim riots
After the Easter bombings, on 6–16 May 2019 mobs attacked Muslims in Chilaw and across North Western Province (Kuliyapitiya, Minuwangoda, Hettipola and others). One Muslim man was killed with swords, over 100 were hurt and over 540 Muslim-owned houses and properties were destroyed; police and army were accused of letting rioters go.
1 killed540 mosques & sacred places destroyed
Forced cremation of Muslim COVID-19 dead
From March–April 2020 the government required all COVID-19 dead to be cremated, though Islam forbids cremation and health bodies did not require it; four UN special rapporteurs called it a violation of religious freedom. Burials were allowed again from February 2021, at first only on remote Iranaitivu island.
Source: Human Rights Watch, World Report 2021 · Wikipedia: Islam in Sri Lanka
Aynaghar secret detention site
In August 2022 Netra News published a whistleblower account of 'Aynaghar', a secret site where disappeared people were held and tortured. After the government fell in August 2024, Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem and Abdullahil Amaan Azmi were freed from it; they said they had been held in solitary confinement and heard others being tortured.
Source: Wikipedia: Enforced disappearances in Bangladesh · Human Rights Watch, World Report 2025
July 2024 killing of protesters
From 15 July to 5 August 2024 security forces and Awami League activists fired on student-led protesters. A UN human rights office fact-finding report of 12 February 2025 found as many as 1,400 protest-related deaths; HRW reported nearly 1,000 killed, including over 100 children.
1,000–1,400 killed
Source: Wikipedia: July massacre · Human Rights Watch, World Report 2025
40 Uyghurs deported to China
On 27 February 2025 Thailand deported 40 Uyghur men to China, where they risk torture and long imprisonment. They had been among about 50 Uyghurs held indefinitely in Thai immigration detention, with UNHCR barred and refugee screening refused.
40 displaced
Source: Human Rights Watch, World Report 2026 · Human Rights Watch, World Report 2025