Mental health care needs for the enforced disappearance and Aynaghor (House of Mirrors) survivors in Bangladesh: A recent daunting challenge

After the Monsoon Revolution of 2024 in Bangladesh and the ousting of the regime of Sheikh Hasina (2009–2024), the country is facing multiple mental health challenges as more than 1400 persons were killed, thousands of persons were injured, and more than 11,700 persons were arrested due to the violent crackdown on protesters. ¹ The ousted regime has faced criticism for electoral manipulation, corruption, embezzlement, suppression of political opposition, and human rights violations such as torture in ‘Aynaghor’ (House of Mirrors, code name of secret torture cells), extrajudicial killings (2597 in 13 years), and enforced disappearances. ²

After the fall of the regime, a new dimension of torture came to the surface when survivors of Aynaghors were freed. Prominent survivors such as Mr Azmi (disappeared 22 August 2016 to 6 August 2024), Mir Ahmed Bin Quasem (disappeared 9 August 2016 to 6 August 2024), and Michael Chakma (disappeared 9 April 2019 to 6 August 2024) have detailed their experiences of enforced disappearance and torture in Aynaghor. ³ There are many more (such as Eilas Ali) who have not returned. Approximately 700 to 800 Aynaghors were spread across the country, with the exact number of survivors still unknown. One report estimated that over 3500 enforced disappearances occurred under the Hasina government. ² The interim government formed a commission named ‘Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (CIED)’ to find out the details. The Chief Advisor of the Interim Government visited Aynaghor on 12 February 2025 and determined to end the use of enforced disappearances through signing of the ‘International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance’ on 11 September 2024. ⁴ The commission's latest report (4 June 2025) revealed that there were 1837 complains, among which 1772 were documented since 2009. Among the allegedly disappeared 1772 individuals, 1427 survivors have returned, and the rest 345 are untraced. ⁵

Enforced disappearance is an extremely complex issue affecting the personal mental health of the survivor and the emotional and social aspects of family members. Additionally, due to the nature and complexity, the mental health needs and evidence supporting the coping strategies are lacking. ⁶ Survivors of enforced disappearance may suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological problems. Meanwhile, family members may grapple with disrupted grief, stigma, social and legal issues, and a pervasive fear of the state machinery and political parties. The trauma experienced can also manifest as intergenerational emotional disturbances, affecting future generations. ⁶

Bangladesh needs urgent attention to the mental health care, focusing on the chronic trauma of enforced disappearance, extrajudicial killing, torture in Aynaghor, and acute life-threatening experience of thousands of people during the Monsoon revolution among the survivors, as well as the family members. The CIED could take an initiative, collaborating with the Ministry of Health and mental health professional bodies (such as the Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists) to ensure an enduring mental health care for the vulnerable persons due to this state-run violence. The international, regional, and local mental health and humanitarian non-governmental organizations should come forward to extend their support to the local authority to ensure support.