A Rohingya Girl’s Fight for Justice

How Asma Bibi Fought Back Against Her Abuser

I am pleased to share that the Dhaka Tribune has just published a reportage of mine about a horrendous experience faced by a young woman who travelled from the refugee camps of Bangladesh to India. This story is not just about trafficking; it is about survival and the bravery of a young Rohingya girl, Asma Bibi. It was her courage that compelled me to write this story.

However, before diving into the story, I need to address a personal connection with one of its key figures - Shona Mia, the villain in this harrowing narrative. I first encountered Shona Mia during the 2020 attack on the Christian community. At the time, he was already living in India, having left Bangladesh. He participated in a podcast I did with activist Nay San Lwin to discuss the attack.

A few years later, Shona Mia approached me with a request to help fund a school for a small Rohingya village in Myanmar called Taung Chaung in Buthidaung. I was able to connect with generous donors in London, who funded the school for a year. However, my dealings with Shona Mia were far from straightforward, and as time passed, I learned more about his estrangement from his community.

This year, the extent of his actions exploded into public awareness with Asma Bibi’s tragic ordeal. Shona Mia’s abuse of his influence in the Rohingya community is central to Asma’s story. Her bravery in coming forward is a testament to her strength and stands out in stark contrast to the despair and suffering that so often silences others.

I invite you to read the full story of Asma Bibi, a young woman whose bravery inspired this report. Her journey serves as a reminder of the continued injustices faced by the Rohingya.