In Warsaw, events were organized by the Polish Foreign Ministry together with representatives of the Belarusian opposition. The observance came as Belarusian activists and exiles continue to campaign against the rule of Alexander Lukashenko, who has held power since 1994. Opposition figures say thousands of political prisoners remain behind bars despite the release of 250 detainees last week. Among those still imprisoned is Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, whose detention has drawn concern from Warsaw. Belarusian opposition representatives said continued international backing is essential as the struggle for democracy and sovereignty goes on both inside Belarus and among communities living abroad.