• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

For years, Bangladesh has faced a troubling wave of disappearances, as activists, journalists, and opposition figures have allegedly gone missing without a trace, with many never being found. The shadow of fear and uncertainty loomed large over the nation, silencing dissent and stifling voices that dared to challenge the status quo. However, with the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the country now confronts a daunting reckoning with its troubled history. 

Recent revelations have shed light on the disturbing conditions within a clandestine prison linked to Sheikh Hasina's administration. Reports indicate that the facility, shrouded in secrecy, has been the site of human rights abuses and inhumane treatment of detainees. 

Eyewitness accounts and leaked documents paint a grim picture of life behind the walls of this hidden jail, raising serious questions about the integrity of Bangladesh's justice system and the government's commitment to upholding human rights. 

Hundreds Abducted by Security Forces Since 2009

The ‘Aynaghor’, or ‘House of Mirrors’, has been highlighted in a report by The New York Times, where several victims of forced abduction have shared their harrowing experiences. Human rights organisations estimate that over 700 individuals forcibly disappeared between 2009 and 2024, although the actual figure may be higher due to government agency harassment that hampers documentation efforts.

ALSO READ: 'Closer To Freedom': Zelenskyy After Russia, Ukraine Swap 190 Prisoners Of War In UAE-Brokered Deal

Bangladeshi Ambassador's Experience In Dhaka's 'House of Mirrors'

Maroof Zaman, a former Bangladeshi ambassador to Qatar and Vietnam, claims that the ‘House of Mirrors’, where he spent 467 days in prison before his release in 2019, was located in a military garrison in Dhaka. He based this observation on the discipline of the guards and the morning parades he could hear from his cell, noting that he could also hear children singing every Friday.

During interrogations, inmates faced physical torture, with Zaman describing experiences of being hooded, punched in the face, and shown printed copies of his social media and blog posts. Interrogators mocked him about the cost of printing these posts, questioning whether his father would cover the expenses.

ALSO READ: Israel Claims Iran Tried To Assassinate PM Benjamin Netanyahu After Drone Strike Near His Residence Caesarea

Harrowing Tale Of Abdullahil Amaan Azmi's Imprisonment

Abdullahi Amaan Azmi, a former army general imprisoned in the ‘House of Mirrors’ due to his father's position as a senior Islamist leader, revealed that he was blindfolded and handcuffed 41,000 times over his eight years in captivity. He expressed profound despair, stating that he was unable to see the sky, sun, or nature, and he prayed for a dignified death to escape the humiliation and suffering he experienced.