Reducing number of political prisoners

Political prisoners may be released to appease opponents of a government within the country, specific countries, and the international community or because of government change, and often for some political, social, cultural and economic incentive or gain. Political prisoner numbers may also be made to seem to be reduced for similar reasons.

International rights organizations dispute China's 1995 claim that it is holding fewer political prisoners, because they say China has reclassified or sentenced many as common prisoners. China made the claim just before the release of a USA report that is expected to be highly critical of Chinese human rights practices.