Human Rights Without Frontiers Declares Bias by UK MP in Case Against AROPL

Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), a non-profit organization based in Brussels, Belgium, focused on promoting and protecting human rights globally, has been monitoring and reporting on the plight of believers in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light for several years. Following the police raid on the AROPL headquarters, Webb House, on 29 April 2026, HRWF published a scathing review of the rhetoric used by British Member of Parliament Connor Naismith regarding the raid and AROPL's presence in Crewe.

The article, written by Human Rights Without Frontiers Associate Director Hans Noot and published on the HRWF website on 5 June, is titled "UNITED KINGDOM: Crewe MP Naismith siding with presumption of guilt in AROPL case." It shines a spotlight on the role played by Connor Naismith, the Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, in shaping public perception. According to the article, he neglected his responsibility to urge restraint and patience while the police investigation takes its course.

HRWF states:

"In media interviews and posts, MP Naismith repeatedly refers to 'fear', 'anxiety', 'deep shock' and 'serious concern' in Crewe following the raid on Webb House and the allegations against AROPL members. He tells the BBC that the community is 'understandably living in fear' and that his message is to 'allow the authorities to carry out their duty of providing justice where crimes have been perpetrated'.

Acknowledging the emotional impact of serious allegations is part of an MP's role. The difficulty is that his public comments give weight to community shock without two essential clarifications.

First, there is no clear reminder that allegations are not convictions, and that guilt or innocence can only be determined in court after a fair trial.

Second, there is no parallel expression of concern for the impact of raids, publicity and hostility on AROPL members themselves—their mental health, safety, social standing and ability to practise their faith."

The article argues that public figures such as Connor Naismith should be held to a high standard when making public statements that can affect an entire community. It contends that his remarks have had a significant impact on his constituency by contributing to fear and hostility towards a persecuted religious minority residing at Webb House. It further argues that his conduct should be reviewed by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in light of the ongoing protests, which it suggests may have been encouraged by his public comments.

The article goes on to provide a more detailed analysis of the position conveyed by Connor Naismith, criticizing what it describes as his praise of the police while implying that the allegations against some members of the faith indicate guilt. It argues that the concerns he repeatedly voices present a one-sided narrative, portraying AROPL negatively in the court of public opinion.

Connor Naismith, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, is no stranger to controversy. In 2025, he was involved in controversy surrounding a parliamentary vote on whether to establish an inquiry into grooming gangs. He voted against the inquiry, a decision that prompted criticism from members of the public and various publications.

The Divine Just State magazine would like to extend its gratitude to Hans Noot for his continued efforts to draw attention to the challenges AROPL has faced, and continues to face, in the aftermath of the police raid on Webb House.