These efforts seem to be focused upon Iran's evangelical Churches because of their open efforts to convert Iranian Muslims to Christianity. The Armenian church, which does not engage in such activities, seems to be enduring no more than the usual level of harassment. Iran claims that these arrests are because many Christians are engaging in illegal political activities under the guise of religion. Several UN and human rights reports allege a fierce campaign against Iran's Christian minority with churches shut down and members imprisoned and tortured. Iran convicted three women on charges of terrorism for the murder of two Christian clerics.
Reformers gain a majority of seats in the first round polls.
Conservative parliamentarians in Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly lost seats in the run off elections held on April 19. Khatami promised in the campaign to reduce censorship and support a diversity of attitudes. The group reported that persecution was particularly bad for Protestant groups of Christians. A church was closed by the authorities and its leaders were arrested and killed. Conservatives dominated the election to the council of experts when many of the reformist candidates were disqualified.