In Bangladesh, poverty and social exclusion make individuals and communities far more vulnerable to torture and other serious human rights violations. Poverty not only limits individuals from meeting their basic needs but also exposes them to heightened physical and psychological risks. Torture survivors in Bangladesh often struggle to regain employment, education, or livelihoods, leaving them trapped in cycles of poverty and social exclusion, which further intensify the trauma they have already endured.

HRDC data shows that many survivors are unable to secure their basic needs—food, shelter, healthcare, and family security. In such circumstances, rehabilitation centers face severe constraints in providing full support to survivors. Member and rehabilitation centers have long emphasized the need for a holistic approach to recovery. Psychosocial and medical services alone are insufficient; survivors also require social and economic support, including livelihood opportunities, skills development, and income generation, to ensure sustainable rehabilitation.

Torture survivors remain mothers, fathers, spouses, and family providers, often grappling with unemployment or physical and psychological disabilities directly caused by their experiences. In short, if survivors’ basic needs and socio-economic security are not addressed alongside rehabilitation services, their full recovery, dignity, and independence are unlikely to be achieved.