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FIND Statutes

News paper article

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR FINDING DISAPPEARED

AND KIDNAPPED CHILDREN FROM MATERNITY HOSPITALS FIND

Belgian non-profit association (VZW)

  
  


 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION AND FOUNDING DEED

English translation of the Dutch original

 

Published in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette (Bijlagen bij het Belgisch Staatsblad), 4 September 2026

  
  


 

 

Filing particulars

Enterprise number: 1041.817.117

Name (full): FindingDisappeared and KidnappedChildren from MaternityHospitals Name (abbreviated): FIND

Legal form: VZW (non-profit association)

Registered office: Willem de Zwijgerstraat 51, 1000 Brussels

Deed filed / received: 28 August 2026,registry of the Dutch-language Enterprise Court, Brussels Deposit number: 26112157

Date of deed: 26 August 2026

Subject of the deed: Articles of Association

 

This is a literal English translation prepared for reference. The Dutch text as published in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette is the sole authentic version. Editorial observations are shown in square brackets and italics.


 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR FINDING DISAPPEARED AND KIDNAPPED CHILDREN FROM MATERNITY CLINICS – FIND

Belgian non-profit association — VZW

 

 

TITLE I — NAME, REGISTERED OFFICE AND DURATION

Article 1 — Name and legal form

  1. The Association is established as a Belgiannon-profit association (“VZW”),governed by the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations.
  2. Its name is: International Organisation for Finding Disappeared and Kidnapped Children from Maternity Clinics – FIND
  3. Its abbreviated name is FIND.

 

Article 2 — Registered office and duration

  1. The registered office is established in the Brussels-Capital Region.
  2. The Board of Directors may move the registered office within Belgium where this does not require a change of the official language of these Statutes. Any move that does require such a change is decided by the General Assembly.
  3. The Association is established for an indefinite duration.

 

TITLE II — PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

Article 3 — Non-profit purpose

  1. The disinterested purpose of FIND is to promote and protect the rights to truth, identity, family life, effective investigation, remedies and justice of children, adults and families affected by the actual or suspected disappearance, abduction, unlawful removal, trafficking, falsification of identity or irregular transfer of children in connection with maternity clinics, neonatal institutions, adoption systems, civil registration systems or related institutional settings.
  2. FIND pursues in particular:
    1. assistance in locating childrenand adults believedto have disappeared, been abducted,or been unlawfully separated from their families, and the families of children;
    2. support of affected persons and families in establishing the truth concerning birth, identity, descent and family relations;
    3. documenting, exposing and helping to prevent systemic, institutional and transnational practices that facilitate the disappearance, trafficking, unlawful transfer or exploitation of children;
    4. promotion of accountability, access to justice and effective remedies;
    5. support for safe and lawful family reunification, having regard to the rights and wishes of the persons concerned;
    6. promotion of the preservation of identity, registers and family relations; and
    7. ensuring meaningful participation of persons with lived experience throughout the governance and the work of FIND.

Article 4 — Activities

  1. In pursuit of its purpose, FIND may in particular:
    1. assist affected persons and families with searches, investigations, documentation, access to registers and international cooperation;


 

  1. carry out, commission or support independent research and investigations, involving appropriately qualified professionals and persons with relevant lived experience;
  2. collect, preserve, analyse and document information concerning missing children, disputed identities, falsified registers, irregular adoptions and related practices;
  3. establish, operate or participate in secure registers, family-matching, genetic and genealogical initiatives, in accordance with applicable legislation and with appropriate ethical and security safeguards;
  4. review or document potentially irregular adoption, birth-registration, death-declaration and related institutional or administrative processes;
  5. support complaints, judicial proceedings and applications before national and international bodies, and refer credible evidence to competent authorities where this is lawful and appropriate;
  6. conduct advocacy with national authorities, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the United Nations and other relevant institutions, including advocacy for family preservation, effective investigation, accountability and whistleblower protection;
  7. undertake research, education, publication, conferences, training, peer support, referrals and other activities that support affected persons and advance FIND’s purpose;
  8. cooperate with non-profit organisations, universities, professionals, journalists, public authorities and other suitable partners;
  9. receive donations and subsidies, raise funds, employ staff, engage consultants and volunteers, and enter into agreements necessary for its work; and
  10. undertake any other lawful activity that contributes directly or indirectly to its disinterested purpose.
    1. FIND has no public law-enforcement powers.

 

Article 5 — Non-profit character, independence and lived experience

  1. FIND may not directly or indirectly distribute or provide financial benefits to its members or directors, except where this is necessary for the pursuit of its disinterested purpose.
  2. FIND may employ staff, engage consultants, reimburse costs and provide appropriate support to beneficiaries.
  3. FIND acts independently of governments, political parties and commercial interests whose interests may conflict with its purpose.
  4. Lived experience is recognised as relevant knowledge and expertise. Persons with lived experience may participate throughout FIND, including in membership, governance, professional, advisory, research, operational and volunteer roles, and are not confined to a separate category of beneficiaries or advisers.

 

TITLE III — MEMBERSHIP

Article 6 — Categories of membership

  1. FIND has two categories of membership:
    1. Effective Members, who have voting rights and together form the General Assembly; and
    2. Adherent Members,being associate memberswho may participate in FIND but have no voting rights in the General Assembly.
    3. Receiving assistance from FIND, or participating in its work or activities, does not in itself confer either category of membership.
    4. Membership does not in itself give any person access to confidential case, genetic, witness, personnel or research data.

Article 7 — Effective Members

  1. Effective Membersare natural personsadmitted on accountof their commitment to FIND’s purpose, integrity, independence and responsible governance.


 

  1. FIND has at least three Effective Members. There is no maximum number.
  2. Effective Membership is exclusively by invitation and admission. No one is entitled to become an Effective Member by virtue of being a beneficiary, donor, volunteer, expert, supporter, partner, person with lived experience, or representative of an affected family.
  3. A candidate may only be proposed for Effective Membership with the support of at least two directors and after having met the screening and suitability requirements established by FIND.
  4. Admission as an Effective Member requires the approval of at least two-thirds of all existing Effective Members.
  5. Each Effective Member has one vote in the General Assembly.
  6. Effective Members must support the purpose and the independence of FIND, protect confidential information, disclose material conflicts of interest, and comply with these Statutes and applicable Internal Regulations.
  7. Directors are appointed from among the Effective Members.

 

Article 8 — Adherent Members

  1. Natural personsand organisations that support FIND’s purpose may be admittedby the Board of Directors as Adherent Members.
  2. Adherent Members may participate in activities, consultations, committees and working groups that are made available to them, and may receive information intended for Adherent Members.
  3. Adherent Members do not vote in the General Assembly, do not count towards its quorum, and have no statutory right to take part in its decisions.
  4. Adherent Membership grants no access to confidential case, genetic, witness or research data.
  5. Adherent Members must support FIND’s purpose, respect confidentiality and comply with applicable Internal Regulations.
  6. An Adherent Member may resign by written notice. The Board may terminate Adherent Membership for serious breach of the obligations in this Article, after the member has been given a reasonable opportunity to respond.

Article 9 — Contributions, resignation and exclusion

  1. The Board may set annual membership contributions, on the understanding that no individual member is required to pay more than EUR 500 per financial year and no organisational Adherent Member more than EUR 2,500 per financial year. Voluntary donations are not membership contributions.
  2. An Effective Member may resign at any time by written notice.
  3. Only the General Assembly may exclude an Effective Member. Exclusion takes place in accordance with Belgian law and only after the member has been informed of the proposed exclusion and has been given the opportunity to be heard.
  4. Membership ends on the death of an individual member or otherwise as provided by Belgian law.
  5. A former member has no right to any part of FIND’s assets or to repayment of membership contributions.

 

TITLE IV — GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Article 10 — Composition and powers

  1. The General Assembly is composed of all Effective Members.
  2. The GeneralAssembly exercises the powers reservedto it by Belgian law and thoseexpressly granted to it by these Statutes, including:
    1. amendment of the Statutes;
    2. appointment and dismissal of directors;
    3. appointment and dismissal of an auditor where required;


 

  1. discharge of directors and of any auditor;
  2. approval of the annual accounts and the budget;
  3. admission of Effective Members in accordance with Article 7;
  4. exclusion of Effective Members;
  5. dissolution and liquidation of FIND; and
  6. all other matters reserved to the General Assembly by Belgian law.
    1. All powers not reservedby law or by these Statutes to the GeneralAssembly belong to the Board of Directors.

Article 11 — Meetings and decisions

  1. The General Assembly meets at least once a year and within six months after the end of the financial year.
  2. The Board convenes the General Assembly where the law requires it or where this is necessary in the interest of FIND, and convenes it when requested by at least one-fifth of the Effective Members.
  3. Notice is given to all Effective Members, directors and any auditorat least fifteendays before the meeting, together with the agenda.
  4. Meetings may be held physically, electronically or in hybrid form, in accordance with Belgian law.
  5. Unless otherwise provided by Belgian law or by these Statutes, the General Assembly may deliberate when more than half of the Effective Members are present or represented, and decides by simple majority of the votes cast.
  6. Decisions of the General Assembly are recorded in minutes which are made available to the Effective Members. Decisions are communicated to third parties and filed or published where the law requires.

 

TITLE V — BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Article 12 — Composition, appointment and end of mandate

  1. FIND is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of at least three directors. The number of directors is determined by the General Assembly.
  2. Every directormust be an Effective Member and must meet FIND’s applicable screening, integrity, suitability and conflict-of-interest requirements.
  3. At least one director is a person with relevant lived experience.
  4. Directors are appointed individually by the General Assembly for a renewable term of three years.
  5. The GeneralAssembly may dismissa director in accordance with Belgian law. The directorconcerned is given the opportunity to be heard.
  6. A director may resign by written notice.
  7. When a vacancy arises, the remaining directors may co-opt an eligible Effective Member until the next General Assembly, which confirms the appointment or appoints another eligible person.

Article 13 — Powers of the Board

  1. The Boardhas all powersnecessary or usefulfor the management of FIND and the pursuitof its purpose, except those powers reserved by Belgian law or by these Statutes to the General Assembly.
  2. The Boardmay adopt InternalRegulations, policies and procedures, and may establish committees, councils, working groups and other structures necessary for the governance and the activities of FIND.
  3. Internal Regulations, policies and procedures may not conflict with these Statutes or with mandatory Belgian law, nor regulate matters which under Belgian law must be included in the Statutes.
  4. The Board determines its own internal working method, subject to these Statutes, Belgian law and any applicable Internal Regulations.


 

Article 14 — Representation and daily management

  1. The Board represents FIND as a collegial body.
  2. FIND is also validly represented in judicial and extrajudicial acts by two directors acting jointly.
  3. The Board may appoint and dismiss one or more persons charged with daily management and determines the scope of their powers. Unless the Board determines that they must act jointly, each person charged with daily management may act individually within the powers granted.
  4. The Board may grant special written powers of attorney for specific acts or categories of acts.

 

TITLE VI — FINANCES

Article 15 — Financial year, annual accounts and budget

  1. The financial year begins on 1 January and ends on 31 December.
  2. The Board draws up the annual accounts and the budget for the following financialyear and submits them for approval to the General Assembly within six months after the end of the financial year.
  3. FIND keeps and files its accounts in accordance with Belgian law.
  4. An auditor is appointed where the law requires.

 

TITLE VII — AMENDMENT AND DISSOLUTION

Article 16 — Amendment of the Statutes

  1. Only the General Assembly may amend these Statutes.
  2. Proposed amendments must be stated precisely in the notice convening the General Assembly.
  3. Amendments are decided in accordance with the quorum and voting requirements prescribed by Belgian law.
  4. An amendmentof FIND’s disinterested purpose, or of the activities that constitute its object, requiresthe reinforced majority prescribed by Belgian law.

Article 17 — Dissolution and allocation of assets

  1. FIND may only be voluntarily dissolved by the General Assembly, in accordance with Belgian law.
  2. After liquidation and payment of all debts,the remaining net assets are transferred to one or more non-profit associations, international non-profit associations or foundations pursuing a disinterested purpose similar to that of FIND.
  3. No remaining assets may be distributed to members or directors.

 

TITLE VIII — FINAL PROVISION

Article 18 — Applicable law

  1. These Statutes are governed by the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations.
  2. Any matter not expressly regulated by these Statutes is determined in accordance with Belgian law.

 

EXECUTION BY THE FOUNDERS

The undersigned founders adopt theseStatutes for the establishment of FIND as a BelgianVZW. The names below are execution details and do not form part of the permanent numbered provisions of the Statutes.

 

No.    Full legal name — Signature — Date

  1. Roelie POST
  2. Ana PEJIC


 

  1. Nataly Suzana ANDERSON MARINOVIC

The initial directors will be appointed in the founding deed or in a separate appointment decision, and filed and published as required by Belgian law.


 

FOUNDING DEED

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR FINDING DISAPPEARED AND KIDNAPPED CHILDREN FROM MATERNITY HOSPITALS – FIND

Belgian non-profit association — VZW

 

  1. Founders

The undersigned:

  1. Roelie Post, domiciled at Willem de Zwijgerstraat 51, BE-1000 Brussels
  2. Ana Pejic, domiciled at Pavlova■ka 15, 22400 Ruma, Serbia
  3. Nataly Suzana Anderson Marinovic, domiciledat 12 Halls Farm Close, Woking, Surrey, GU21 2NR,

United Kingdom

hereby agree to establisha Belgian non-profit association (VZW) in accordance with the BelgianCode of Companies and Associations.

  1. Name

The Association bearsthe name: International Organization for FindingDisappeared and Kidnapped Children from Maternity Hospitals – FIND

The abbreviated name is: FIND

 

  1. Registered office

The registered office of the Association is established at: Willem de Zwijgerstraat 51, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

The registered office is situated in the Brussels-Capital Region, in accordance with the Statutes.

 

  1. Adoption of the Statutes

The founders unanimously adopt the Statutes attached to this founding deed. The Statutes form an integralpart of this founding deed.

  1. First Effective Members

The three foundersnamed in article1 of this founding deed are the first EffectiveMembers of FIND and together form the first General Assembly.

Each Effective Member has one vote in accordance with the Statutes.

 

  1. First Board of Directors

The founders, acting as the first GeneralAssembly, determine that the first Board of Directors consistsof three directors.

The following persons are appointed as the first directors of FIND:

  1. Roelie Post — domiciled at: Address [placeholder left unfilled in the original]
  2. Ana Pejic — domiciled at: Pavlova■ka 15, 22400 Ruma, Serbia
  3. Nataly Suzana Anderson Marinovic— domiciled at: 12 Halls Farm Close, Woking, Surrey,GU21 2NR, United Kingdom

Each director is appointed for a renewableterm of three years, in accordance with article 12 of the Statutes. Each of the persons named above accepts his/her appointment as director.

  1. Representation

In accordance with article 14 of the Statutes:

  • the Board of Directors represents FIND as a collegial body; and


 

  • FIND may also be validly represented in judicial and extrajudicial acts by two directors acting jointly.

No one is appointed for daily management at incorporation, unless the Board of Directors decides separately on this.

  1. Financial year

FIND’s financial year begins on 1 January and ends on 31 December, in accordance with the Statutes.

The first financial year begins on the date on which FIND acquireslegal personality and ends on 31 December 2026.

  1. Powers for registration and publication

The founders authorise Roelie Post to perform all acts and formalities necessary for:

  • the filing of this founding deed and the Statutes;
  • the filing and publication of the appointments of the first directors;
  • the registration of FIND in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO);
  • the publication in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette; and
  • the making of any purely administrative or formal corrections requested by the competent registry, provided that such corrections do not alter the content of the Statutes or of the decisions contained in this founding deed.
  1. Signing

Drawn up at [BRUSSELS / MUNICIPALITY], Belgium,on 26 August 2026, in the numberof originals required by Belgian law.

[The bracketed placeholder appears unfilled in the published original.]

The founders confirm that they have read and approved this founding deed and the attached Statutes.

 

Founder — Signature

Roelie Post [no signature visible in the published copy]

Ana Pejic [signature present]

Nataly Suzana Anderson Marinovic [no signature visible in the published copy]

Annex: 1. Statutesof International Organization for Finding Disappeared and Kidnapped Childrenfrom Maternity Hospitals – FIND

F.I.N.D.

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