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Principality of Sealand (view source)
Revision as of 01:01, 19 January 2020
, 01:01, 19 January 2020→External links
Westarctica (talk | contribs) (Created page with "400px|thumb|Sealand from a helicopter The '''Principality of Sealand''', more commonly known as '''Sealand''', is a micronation that claims Roughs...") |
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Since 1967, the decommissioned HM Fort Roughs has been occupied by family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates, who claim that it is an independent sovereign state. Bates seized it from a group of pirate radio broadcasters in 1967 with the intention of setting up his own station at the site. He attempted to establish Sealand as a nation-state in 1975 with the writing of a national constitution and establishment of other national symbols. | Since 1967, the decommissioned HM Fort Roughs has been occupied by family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates, who claim that it is an independent sovereign state. Bates seized it from a group of pirate radio broadcasters in 1967 with the intention of setting up his own station at the site. He attempted to establish Sealand as a nation-state in 1975 with the writing of a national constitution and establishment of other national symbols. | ||
While it has been described as the world's smallest country or nation, Sealand is not officially recognized by any established [[ | While it has been described as the world's smallest country or nation, Sealand is not officially recognized by any established [[Westphalian model|sovereign state]] in spite of Sealand's government's claim that it has been ''de facto'' recognized by the United Kingdom and Germany. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in force since 1994 states "Artificial islands, installations and structures do not possess the status of islands. They have no territorial sea of their own, and their presence does not affect the delimitation of the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone or the continental shelf". Since 1987, Sealand lies within the territorial waters of the United Kingdom. | ||
Bates moved to the mainland when he became elderly, naming his son, Michael, as regent. Bates died in October 2012 at the age of 91. Michael lives in Suffolk, England. | Bates moved to the mainland when he became elderly, naming his son, Michael, as regent. Bates died in October 2012 at the age of 91. Michael lives in Suffolk, England. | ||
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==Administration== | ==Administration== | ||
[[File:Prince-of-Sealand.jpg|400px|thumb|Prince Michael of Sealand]] | [[File:Prince-of-Sealand.jpg|400px|thumb|Prince Michael of Sealand]] | ||
Irrespective of its legal status, Sealand is managed by the Bates family as if it were a | Irrespective of its legal status, Sealand is managed by the Bates family as if it were a recognized sovereign entity and they are its hereditary royal rulers. Roy Bates styled himself as Prince Roy and his wife Princess Joan. Their son (the current ruler of Sealand) is known as His Royal Highness Prince Michael and was referred to as the "Prince Regent" from 1999, until he became Prince in his own right. In this role, he apparently serves as Sealand's acting Head of State and also its Head of Government. At a [[micronation]]s conference hosted by the University of Sunderland in 2004, Sealand was represented by Michael Bates' son James. The facility is now occupied by one or more caretakers representing Michael Bates, who himself resides in Essex, England. | ||
===Constitution and laws=== | ===Constitution and laws=== | ||
Sealand's constitution was instituted in 1974. It consists of a preamble and seven articles. The preamble asserts Sealand's independence, while the articles variously deal with Sealand's status as a constitutional monarchy, the empowerment of government | Sealand's constitution was instituted in 1974. It consists of a preamble and seven articles. The preamble asserts Sealand's independence, while the articles variously deal with Sealand's status as a constitutional monarchy, the empowerment of government bureau, the role of an appointed, advisory senate, the functions of an appointed, advisory legal tribunal, a proscription against the bearing of arms except by members of a designated 'Sealand Guard', the exclusive right of the sovereign to formulate foreign policy and alter the constitution, and the hereditary patrilinear succession of the monarchy. | ||
Sealand's legal system is claimed to follow British common law, and statutes take the form of decrees enacted by the sovereign. | Sealand's legal system is claimed to follow British common law, and statutes take the form of decrees enacted by the sovereign. Sealand has issued "fantasy passports" (as termed by the Council of the European Union), which are not valid for international travel, and holds the Guinness World Record for "the smallest area to lay claim to nation status." Sealand's motto is ''E Mare Libertas'' (From the Sea, Freedom). It appears on Sealandic items – such as stamps, passports and coins – and is the title of the Sealandic anthem. The anthem was composed by Londoner Basil Simonenko; being an instrumental anthem, it does not have lyrics. | ||
==Business operations== | ==Business operations== | ||
[[File:Sealand-Fort.jpg|thumb|300px|Sealand as viewed from sea level]] | |||
Sealand has been involved in several commercial operations, including the issuing of coins and postage stamps and the establishment of an offshore Internet hosting facility, or "data haven." Sealand also has an official website and publishes an online newspaper, ''Sealand News''. In addition, a number of amateur athletes represent Sealand in sporting events, including unconventional events like the World Egg Throwing Championship, which the Sealand team won in 2008. | Sealand has been involved in several commercial operations, including the issuing of coins and postage stamps and the establishment of an offshore Internet hosting facility, or "data haven." Sealand also has an official website and publishes an online newspaper, ''Sealand News''. In addition, a number of amateur athletes represent Sealand in sporting events, including unconventional events like the World Egg Throwing Championship, which the Sealand team won in 2008. | ||
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HavenCo initially received broad coverage in the international media, appearing on the cover of ''Wired Magazine'', in over 200 press articles, and in several television reports. In these reports, HavenCo claimed to have established a secure colocation facility on Sealand, and that it had commenced operations as a data haven. Detractors claim that these reports gave the impression that HavenCo was registered on Sealand itself, and that the company would issue domain names under the authority of that entity, whereas it had no entitlement to do so. | HavenCo initially received broad coverage in the international media, appearing on the cover of ''Wired Magazine'', in over 200 press articles, and in several television reports. In these reports, HavenCo claimed to have established a secure colocation facility on Sealand, and that it had commenced operations as a data haven. Detractors claim that these reports gave the impression that HavenCo was registered on Sealand itself, and that the company would issue domain names under the authority of that entity, whereas it had no entitlement to do so. | ||
==External links== | |||
* [https://www.sealandgov.org/ Office Site] | |||
[[Category:Micronations]] | [[Category:Micronations]] | ||