Chapter I. General provisions
§ 1
1. The Foundation for the Support of Political Prisoners “Dissidentby” (the “Foundation”) operates on the basis of the Act of 6 April 1984 on foundations and in accordance with this statute.
2. The Foundation was established by its Founder (Fundatorka) by notarial deed of 15 November 2021.
§ 2
1. The seat of the Foundation is the city of Poznań.
2. The Foundation is established for an indefinite period.
3. The Foundation operates across the whole territory of the Republic of Poland. Where necessary to achieve its objectives, it may also operate outside Poland.
4. The Foundation is a legal entity whose main purpose is not to make a profit.
§ 3
1. The Foundation has legal personality.
2. The Foundation is supervised by the minister competent for foreign affairs.
Chapter II. Objectives and principles of operation
§ 4
The mission of the Foundation is material, informational and legal support for political prisoners in Belarus.
The objectives of the Foundation are:
- social assistance, including assistance to families and persons in difficult life situations, and equalising their opportunities
- charitable activity
- promotion of equal rights for women and men
- ecology and animal protection, and protection of natural heritage
- promotion and protection of human rights, civil liberties and freedoms, and support for the development of democracy
- assistance to victims of disasters, natural calamities, armed conflicts and wars, in the country and abroad
- activities supporting European integration and the development of contacts and cooperation between societies
- promotion and organisation of volunteering
- rescue and protection of the population
- activities for the benefit of veterans and persons subjected to repression
- activities for the benefit of the family, motherhood, parenthood, and promotion and protection of children’s rights
- integration of foreigners
- activities for the benefit of persons with disabilities
- promotion of employment and professional activation of unemployed persons and persons at risk of redundancy
- provision of free legal aid and raising legal awareness in society
- activities for the benefit of children and young people, including children’s and youth recreation
- activities for the benefit of non-governmental organisations
- systematic monitoring of respect for human rights in Belarus
- documenting and recording human rights violations
- analysis and assessment of the legal situation in Belarus
- monitoring the situation and rights of Belarusian refugees in European countries
§ 5
The Foundation pursues its objectives by carrying out public benefit activities, in particular through:
- collecting current information about political prisoners
- establishing contact with the family and friends of a political prisoner
- material assistance to families of political prisoners
- legal advice for families affected by repression
- informational support
- actions aimed at informing the international public about the legal situation in Belarus
- media activity to draw attention to political persecution in Belarus
- running a website and social networks with up-to-date information about political prisoners
- cooperation with human rights organisations, foundations and initiatives in Belarus
- building partner networks with non-governmental organisations and informal groups whose statutory goals and activities are similar to the Foundation’s
- training in professional adaptation, labour law, residence law, the basics of entrepreneurship, multiculturalism and cultural differences
- organising charity events, fundraising and other undertakings whose proceeds are used for the statutory goals
- conducting training sessions, internships, workshops and courses
- organising sessions, conferences, lectures, exhibitions, debates and discussions, and conducting legal activity
- granting loans, one-off aid and donations, both monetary and in kind
- supporting (financially, in kind or organisationally) persons, organisations and institutions pursuing similar goals
- cooperation with volunteers, promotion and organisation of volunteering, and organising volunteer teams to carry out the statutory goals
- cooperation with local and international organisations, non-governmental organisations, institutions and persons pursuing similar goals
- professional support and development
- assistance to foreigners in adapting to life in Poland
- activity to bring the Polish and Belarusian nations closer together
- promotion among people of other nationalities of knowledge of Polish law, in particular labour law, cultural differences, protection of freedoms and human rights, civil liberties, the development of democracy and local self-government
- collecting, verifying and publishing data on human rights violations
- research and publication of analytical reports on the human rights situation in Belarus and among Belarusian refugees in Europe
- cooperation with international organisations and structures to publicise and prevent violations
- organising monitoring missions and initiatives assessing the human rights situation
Chapter III. Assets and income
§ 6
The Foundation, as owner, possesses, uses and disposes of its assets in accordance with the statute.
The Foundation’s assets consist of a founding fund of PLN 4,000 (four thousand złoty) and other property acquired by the Foundation in the course of its activity.
§ 7
1. The Foundation’s income comes from:
- donations, bequests and legacies
- grants and subsidies from legal persons
- public collections
- the Foundation’s assets
- interest and bank deposits
2. All income received by the Foundation is used exclusively for its statutory activity.
Chapter IV. Governing bodies
§ 8
The governing body of the Foundation is the Management Board (the “Board”).
§ 9
1. The first and subsequent boards are appointed by the Founder.
2. The Board consists of 3 to 5 persons, including the President, appointed by the Founder for a term of 5 years.
3. The President of the Board is elected by a simple majority vote, with all Board members taking part, at a Board meeting, for the term of office, i.e. 5 years. A candidate for President may nominate themselves and vote for themselves.
4. Board members, including the President, may be elected for more than one term. Membership of the Board ends upon:
- written resignation submitted to the Board
- loss of civil rights as a result of a final court conviction for a crime
- death of a Board member
5. The Board or its individual members may be dismissed by the Founder before the end of the term, on a decision taken unanimously by all Board members.
§ 10
1. The Board manages the activity of the Foundation and represents it externally.
2. The competences of the Board include:
- day-to-day management of the Foundation’s activity
- implementation of the statutory goals
- preparation of work plans and budgets
- management of the Foundation’s assets
- representation of the Foundation externally
- employment of staff and setting of their pay
- submitting a motion to the Founder to amend the statute
- submitting a motion to the Founder for the merger or liquidation of the Foundation
3. Each year the Board must submit an annual activity report to the Founder.
§ 11
The tasks of the Board include:
- setting the main directions of the Foundation’s activity
- supervision and control of the Foundation’s activity, in particular control of its assets
- approving the Board’s annual activity reports
- dismissing Board members, including the President
- deciding to amend the statute
- deciding on a merger with another foundation
- deciding all other matters not reserved to other bodies
§ 12
1. Board meetings are held as needed, but at least once a year.
2. Board meetings are convened by the President, who sends notice of the date by email or, where this is not possible, by registered letter, at least 3 days before the meeting.
3. All Board members must be informed of the meeting.
4. The Board adopts resolutions by a simple majority of votes, in the presence of at least half of its members, unless the statute provides otherwise. In the event of a tie, the President has the casting vote.
5. In justified cases, individual members may vote by means of electronic communication.
§ 13
The President of the Board:
- represents the interests of the Foundation before all institutions, organisations and undertakings
- represents the Foundation before state authorities, local government and all state and municipal organisations
- disposes of the Foundation’s assets in accordance with its statutory goals
- organises the Foundation’s current activity
- handles accounting, bookkeeping and reporting
- concludes, amends and terminates employment contracts with employees, contracts with volunteers and other contracts with third parties
§ 14
Two Board members acting jointly are authorised to make declarations of will on behalf of the Foundation, including in property matters.
Chapter V. Final provisions
§ 15
The Board amends the statute by an absolute majority of votes, in the presence of at least half of the members entitled to vote. An amendment may concern the objectives set out in the founding deed.
§ 16
1. The Foundation may merge with another foundation in order to pursue its objectives effectively.
2. A merger may not take place if, as a result, the Foundation’s objectives would be materially changed.
3. Decisions on a merger with another foundation are taken by the Board by an absolute majority of votes, in the presence of at least half of the members entitled to vote.
§ 17
1. The Foundation is liquidated when its objectives have been achieved or when its financial means and assets have been exhausted.
2. The Board notifies the minister competent for foreign affairs of the liquidation.
3. The decision on liquidation is taken solely by the Founder.
4. Financial means and assets remaining after liquidation may, by resolution of the Board, be transferred to active organisations with similar objectives.