Prince of the sea platform. Expansion of territorial waters
If you think that the times when people seized territories, proclaimed them states, and themselves rulers, are in the distant past, then you are deeply mistaken. bright volume confirmation - the Principality of Sealand - a state that essentially does not exist, but still it exists ...
Platform at sea
You need to start the story from the time of World War II. At that time, platforms were built in the sea around Great Britain, on which special equipment and weapons were installed. The soldiers who served there were supposed to track the actions of the Nazis and, in the event of an attack, be the first to repulse them.
One of these platforms is called "Fort Roughs". During the Second World War, about 200 people served on it, but then all the equipment and weapons were taken from it, and the building itself, unlike other similar ones, was not demolished. Perhaps because it was located 6 miles from the coast, and the territorial waters of the country at that time extended only to 3.
So the object became a nobody's place, and until the 60s no one was particularly interested in it. But, as they say, everything that lies badly can be used ...
Principality of Sealand
Two friends retired major Paddy Roy Bates And Ronan O'Reilly landed on the platform in 1966. At that time, radio piracy was popular in Great Britain and not only, and the guys decided that it was quite possible to organize an underground radio station on a platform in neutral waters. According to another version, they wanted to make an amusement park here.
As a result, the opinions of friends regarding the further use of the platform became the cause of their quarrel, after which the fort went to Bates, who on September 2, 1967 proclaimed this territory an independent state called Sealand, and himself - Prince Roy I.
Confrontation with the invaders
In the same 1967, a former associate of Bates O'Reilly tried to recapture the platform. But, having military experience, Roy was able to perfectly organize the defense of the fort. Using shotguns, flamethrowers and Molotov cocktails, the prince and his subjects defended the territory of the state.
A year later, the British authorities began to claim the platform. When patrol boats approached Sealand, they were met with warning shots in the air. The military decided not to shed blood, but to clarify the conflict in court.
What was the surprise of the authorities when the judge recognized the UK's claims to the platform as groundless, since it is located in neutral waters.
Symbols
In general, we can safely say that Roy I emerged victorious from the first conflicts. Of course, no one recognized Sealand as an independent state, but they were not going to touch the prince, waiting for him to give a reason for tough measures.
Meanwhile, Roy began to acquire various state symbols. Sealand has a flag, coat of arms, anthem and constitution. The Principality began issuing own brands and mint coins. Exotic lovers from all over the world bought various souvenirs associated with the unrecognized country, and some even titles.
coup d'état
In 1978, Roy I and one of his associates, Prime Minister of Sealand Alexander Gottfried Achenbach did not agree on the views on attracting investment to the country. While the prince was in negotiations with investors in Austria, Achenbach landed on the platform with several citizens of the Netherlands.
The invaders locked Crown Prince Michael, and then completely took him to the Netherlands. But the young man was able to escape and meet his father. With the support of citizens loyal to the monarchs, Roy I and his son managed to return to power.
The further actions of the prince were precisely coordinated with international law. The captured foreign mercenaries were released in accordance with the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. The organizer of the coup was removed from all positions and convicted according to the laws of Sealand.
But Achenbach also had German citizenship, so the German authorities became interested in his fate. Great Britain refused to intervene in the conflict, so the legal adviser of the German embassy in London landed directly on Sealand. Since the failed putsch was bloodless, the ruler of Sealand decided to let Achenbach go.
But the story didn't end there either. The losers formed the government of Sealand in exile, and Achenbach called himself chairman of the Sealand Privy Council. In January 1989, the German authorities arrested the man, after which he transferred his powers to Johannes Seiger.
Seiger became prime minister and was later re-elected twice to that position. The man on his website still claims that he is the only legitimate ruler of Sealand.
Admirers of the independence of the country
There are quite a lot of people in the world who jokingly and seriously consider Sealand an independent state. For example, in 1987 the UK expanded its territorial waters to 12 miles. Thus, Sealand again fell into its borders.
Roy I did exactly the same, and the British authorities did not react to this in any way. Many began to see this as recognition of Sealand's independence by the British government. Moreover, according to supporters of the state, Sealand is allegedly recognized by Germany, because the consul of this country held negotiations with Roy I.
Fire
In the summer of 2006, a fire broke out on Sealand, which destroyed almost all the buildings. True, they were quickly restored. Around the same time, Roy I moved to the mainland, because living at sea at his age had become too difficult.
Sale of the country
Michael I, the same crown prince. He came to the conclusion that his father's idea had exhausted itself and in 2007 he put the state up for auction. But there were no people who wanted to buy Sealand for a tidy sum.
New ruler
In October 2012, Paddy Roy Bates, aka Prince of Sealand Roy I, died in one of the nursing homes in Essex. His son officially became the new ruler of the country, who received the title Admiral General of Sealand Prince Michael I Bates.
Today, on the official website of Sealand, you can purchase various souvenirs related to the country, as well as titles. For example, if you want to become a baron, it is enough to lay out everything 45 $ , the title of count will cost 295 $ , and the duke 735 $ .
It is worth recognizing that the self-proclaimed principality on a platform in the sea was a fun idea, which, and most importantly, did not lead to bloody conflicts. There are many more funny stories in the world, for example, we wrote about the most densely populated island.
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Article author
Ruslan Holovatyuk
The most attentive and observant editor of the team, a man of intellect. It can simultaneously effectively perform several tasks, remembers everything to the smallest detail, and not a single detail will escape from its vigilant gaze. Everything in his articles is clear, concise and on the shelves. And Ruslan understands sports as well as professionals, so articles in the corresponding section are everything.
Total
% water surface
0.00055 km²
0
Total ()
Density
5 people
9100 people/km²
total()
Per capita
600000
Sealand, Principality of Sealand (Principality of Sealand listen)) is a self-proclaimed microstate in the North Sea, 10 kilometers from the coast of Great Britain. Located on the offshore platform. Coordinates: Coordinates : / (G)51.894444 , 1.4825 51°53′40″ s. sh. 1°28′57″ E d. / 51.894444° N. sh. 1.4825° E d.(G)
Political system
Roy did not build an amusement park, but chose a platform to base his pirate radio station, Britain's Better Music Station. On September 2, 1967, he announced the creation of a sovereign state and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. This day is celebrated as the main public holiday.
Conflict with Great Britain
Coup attempt
Expansion of territorial waters
Territory of Sealand with territorial waters
Selling Sealand
Legal status
Sealand's position compares favorably with that of other virtual states. The Principality has physical territory and has some legal grounds for international recognition. The demand for independence is based on three arguments. The most fundamental of these is the fact that Sealand was founded in neutral waters before the entry into force of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prohibited the construction artificial structures on the high seas, and before the expansion of the UK sovereign maritime zone from 3 to 12 nautical miles in 1987. Based on the fact that the Roughs Tower platform, on which Sealand is located, was abandoned and struck off the lists of the British Admiralty, its occupation is considered as colonization. The settlers who settled on it believe that they had every right to establish a state and establish a form of government at their discretion. Sealand meets all the criteria for statehood specified in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. According to international norms, the size of the state cannot be an obstacle to recognition. For example, the recognized British possession of Pitcairn Island has only about 60 people.
The second important argument is the decision of the British court in 1968 on the lack of UK jurisdiction over Sealand. No other country has also claimed Sealand.
Thirdly, there are several facts of de facto recognition of Sealand. The Montevideo Convention states that states have the right to exist and defend themselves, regardless of official recognition. In modern international practice, tacit (non-diplomatic) recognition is a fairly common phenomenon. It arises when a regime does not have sufficient legitimacy, but exercises actual power on its territory. For example, many states do not recognize Taiwan diplomatically, but treat it as a de facto sovereign country. With regard to Sealand, there are four such testimonies:
- Great Britain does not pay a pension to Prince Roy for the period when he was in Sealand.
- The UK courts refused to hear the 1968 and 1990 Sealand claims.
- The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and Germany entered into negotiations with the government of Sealand.
- The Belgian postal service accepted Sealand stamps for some time.
Theoretically, Sealand's position is very convincing. If recognized, the principality would become the smallest country in the world and the 49th state in Europe. However, according to the founding theory, more common in modern international law, a state can exist only insofar as it is recognized by other states. Therefore, Sealand cannot be accepted into any international organization, can't start my own mailing address, Domain name . None of the countries established diplomatic relations with him.
Sealand is trying to achieve recognition of independence by some major state, but did not try to achieve independence through the UN.
coins
Coins of Sealand, from left to right: ½ dollar, silver dollar and ¼ dollar
For numismatic purposes, the following coins were minted in the Principality:
| Dignity | Material | Year of issue |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ dollar | bronze | |
| ¼ dollar | silver | |
| ½ dollar | cupro-nickel alloy | |
| ½ dollar | silver | |
| 1 dollar | bronze | |
| 1 dollar | silver | |
| $2½ | bronze | |
| 10 $ | silver | |
| 10 $ | silver | |
| $30 | silver | |
| 100 dollars |
: 51°53′24″ s. sh. 1°27′20″ in. d. / 51.89° N sh. 1.455556° in. d.(G)(O) 51.89 , 1.455556
Total
% water surface
0.00055 km²
100%
Grade ()
census()
Density
32 people
5 people
9090 (according to census) person/km²
Roy did not build an amusement park, but chose a platform to base his pirate radio station, Britain's Better Music Station, but this radio station never broadcast from the platform. On September 2, 1967, he announced the creation of a sovereign state and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. This day is celebrated as the main public holiday.
Conflict with Great Britain
Expansion of territorial waters
Territorial waters claimed by Sealand
Fire on Sealand
Sealand after the fire
On June 23, 2006, the state of Sealand suffered the worst natural disaster in its history. A fire broke out on the platform, the cause of which is indicated by a short circuit. The fire destroyed almost all the buildings. As a result of the fire, one victim was taken by a British BBC rescue helicopter to a hospital in the UK. The state was restored quickly enough: already by November of the same year.
Selling Sealand
Sealand Tourism
The Government of Sealand on its official website announced the start tourist trips since summer 2012. As of July 19, a government spokesman says in private correspondence that "the tourism program is in the process of being finalized."
Michael (Michael) I Bates
Since 1999, Michael I Bates (son of Paddy Roy Bates; born 1952) of Sealand has become Prince Regent of Sealand political figure residing in the UK. Since 2012 inherited the title: "Admiral General of Sealand Prince Michael I Bates»
Legal status
Sealand's position compares favorably with that of other virtual states. The Principality has a physical territory and has some legal grounds for international recognition. The requirement of independence is based on three arguments. The most fundamental of these is the fact that Sealand was established in neutral waters prior to the entry into force of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prohibited the construction of artificial structures on the high seas, and prior to the expansion of the UK's sovereign maritime zone from 3 to 12 nautical miles in 1987 year. Based on the fact that the Roughs Tower platform, on which Sealand is located, was abandoned and struck off the lists of the British Admiralty, its occupation is considered as colonization. The settlers who settled on it believe that they had every right to establish a state and establish a form of government at their discretion. According to international norms, the size of the state cannot be an obstacle to recognition. For example, the recognized British possession of Pitcairn Island has only about 60 people.
The second important argument is the decision of the British court in 1968 on the lack of UK jurisdiction over Sealand. No other country has also claimed Sealand.
Thirdly, there are several facts of de facto recognition of Sealand. The Montevideo Convention states that states have the right to exist and defend themselves, regardless of official recognition. In modern international practice, tacit (non-diplomatic) recognition is a fairly common phenomenon. It arises when a regime does not have sufficient legitimacy, but exercises actual power on its territory. For example, many states do not recognize the Republic of China diplomatically, but treat it de facto as a sovereign country. With regard to Sealand, there are four such testimonies:
- Great Britain does not pay a pension to Prince Roy for the period when he was in Sealand.
- The UK courts refused to hear the 1968 and 1990 Sealand claims.
- The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and Germany entered into negotiations with the government of Sealand.
- The Belgian postal service accepted Sealand stamps for some time.
Theoretically, Sealand's position is very convincing. If recognized, the principality would become the smallest country in the world and the 51st state in Europe. However, according to the founding theory, more common in modern international law, a state can exist only insofar as it is recognized by other states. Therefore, Sealand cannot be accepted into any international organization, cannot have its own postal address, domain name . None of the countries established diplomatic relations with him.
Sealand is trying to get independence recognized by some major state, but has not tried to get independence through the UN.
coins
Coins of Sealand, from left to right: ½ dollar, silver dollar and ¼ dollar
| Dignity | Material | Year of issue |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ dollar | bronze | |
| ¼ dollar | silver | |
| ½ dollar | cupro-nickel alloy | |
| ½ dollar | silver | |
| 1 dollar | bronze | |
| 1 dollar | silver | |
| $2½ | bronze | |
| 10 $ | silver | |
| 10 $ | silver | |
| $30 | silver | |
| 100 dollars | gold |
The coins of the 1970s have a portrait of one of the monarchs on the obverse, and the coat of arms of Sealand on the reverse. (There is no coat of arms on the coins of 1972 yet, a sailboat on the waves is depicted). On the obverse of the coins of the 1990s there is an image of a dolphin.
Also known are 20 dollars with the image of Princess Joanna (silver, 1975, the number of copies is unknown). 10 dollars of 1977 were issued in two types: 2000 copies, with the image of Prince Roy and 2000 copies with the image of Princess Joanna.
"Government in Exile" in 1991 issued a silver one hundred dollars with a portrait of Prime Minister Johannes Seiger.
Never heard of this before, but the theme is cool)
It's not just a platform, it's a whole principality!
See photos and read.
Physically, the territory of Sealand arose during the Second World War. In 1942, the British Navy built a series of platforms on the approaches to the coast. One of them was Roughs Tower (Roughs Tower, lit. "hooligan tower"). During the war, anti-aircraft guns were stationed there and there was a garrison of 200 people. After the end of hostilities, most of the towers were destroyed, but Roughs Tower, being outside British territorial waters, remained intact. In 1966, retired British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates chose the site to base his pirate radio station, Britain's Better Music Station. To avoid prosecution by the British authorities, Bates declared the platform a sovereign state and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. The proclamation of Sealand took place on September 2, 1967. This day is celebrated as a major public holiday.
In 1968, the British authorities tried to occupy the young state. Patrol boats approached the platform, and the princely family responded with warning shots in the air. The case did not come to bloodshed, but against Prince Roy, as a British citizen, a trial. On September 2, 1968, an Essex judge issued a historic ruling: he recognized that the case was outside British jurisdiction.
In 1972, Sealand began minting coins. In 1975, Sealand's first constitution went into effect. There was a flag and coat of arms.
In August 1978, a putsch took place in the country. He was preceded by the emergence of tension between the prince and his closest associate, the country's prime minister Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach (Alexander Gottfried Achenbach). The parties differed in their views on attracting foreign investment to the country and accused each other of unconstitutional intentions. Taking advantage of the absence of the prince, who was negotiating with investors in Austria, Achenbach landed on the island with a group of Dutch citizens. The invaders locked the young Prince Michael in the basement and then took him to the Netherlands. But Michael escaped from captivity and met with his father. With the support of the country's loyal citizens, the deposed monarchs managed to defeat the usurper troops and return to power.
The government acted in strict accordance with international law. The captured foreign mercenaries were soon released, as the Geneva Convention on the Rights of Prisoners of War requires the release of prisoners after the end of hostilities. The organizer of the coup was removed from all posts and convicted of treason in accordance with Sealand laws, but he had a second - German - citizenship, so the authorities of the FRG became interested in his fate. The British Foreign Office refused to intervene in this matter, and the German diplomats had to negotiate directly with Sealand. The senior legal adviser of the German embassy arrived on the island in London Dr. Nimueller. Prince Roy demanded diplomatic recognition of Sealand, but in the end, given the bloodless nature of the failed putsch, he agreed to verbal assurances and generously released Achenbach.
The losers continued to insist on their rights. They formed the illegal government of Sealand in exile (FRG). Achenbach claimed to be the chairman of the Privy Council. In January 1989, he was arrested by the German authorities (naturally, they did not recognize his diplomatic status) and handed over his post to the Minister for Economic Cooperation, Johannes W. F. Seiger, who soon became Prime Minister. Re-elected in 1994 and 1999
September 30, 1987 Sealand announced the expansion of its territorial waters from 3 to 12 miles. The UK made a similar announcement the next day. Thus, in accordance with international norms, the maritime territory between the two countries should be divided equally. The absence of a bilateral agreement regulating this issue has led to dangerous incidents. So in 1990, Sealand fired warning shots at a British ship that approached its shore without authorization.
The name of Sealand, without the knowledge of the government, was involved in a grandiose criminal scam. In 1997, an extensive international syndicate came to the attention of Interpol, which established the trade in fake Sealand passports (Sealand itself never traded passports and did not provide political asylum). Over 150,000 false passports (including diplomatic ones), as well as driver's licenses, university diplomas and other fake documents were sold to Hong Kong citizens (during its transfer to PRC control) and of Eastern Europe. In several European countries Attempts were made to open bank accounts and even purchase weapons using Sealand passports. The headquarters of malefactors was in Germany, the sphere of activity covered Spain, Great Britain, France, Slovenia, Romania and Russia. The "foreign minister" of the pseudo-state was Russian citizen Igor Popov. In the United States, the connection of this case with the murder of Gianni Versace was discovered (the killer committed suicide on a yacht whose owner had a fake Sealand diplomatic passport). The government of Sealand gave full cooperation to the investigation and after this tragic incident canceled the passports.
In 2000, the HavenCo company placed its hosting in Sealand, in return, the government undertook to guarantee the inviolability of freedom of information legislation (with regard to the Internet in Sealand, everything is allowed except spam, hacker attacks and child pornography). HavenCo hopes that its location on sovereign territory will save it from being subject to the restrictions of British Internet law.
The position of Sealand favorably differs from that of other artificially created states. The Principality has a physical territory and has some legal grounds for international recognition. The requirement of independence is based on three arguments. The most fundamental of these is the fact that Sealand was founded in neutral waters before the entry into force of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prohibited the construction of artificial structures on the high seas, and before the expansion of the sovereign maritime zone of Great Britain from 3 to 12 miles in 1987. Based on the fact that Roughs Tower was abandoned and struck off the lists of the British Admiralty, its occupation in 1966 is considered as colonization. The settlers who settled on it had every right to establish a state and establish a form of government at their discretion. Sealand meets all the criteria for statehood specified in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. According to international norms, the size of the state cannot be an obstacle to recognition. For example, the recognized British possession of Pitcairn Island has only about 60 people.
The second important argument is the decision of the British court in 1968 on the absence of British jurisdiction over Sealand. No other country has also claimed Sealand.
Based on materials
I want to talk about wonderful country called Sealand
Physically, the territory of Sealand arose during the Second World War. In 1942, the British Navy built a series of platforms on the approaches to the coast. One of them was the Roughs Tower. During the war, anti-aircraft guns were stationed there and there was a garrison of 200 people. After the end of hostilities, most of the towers were destroyed, but Roughs Tower, being outside British territorial waters, remained intact.
In 1966, retired British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates and his friend Ronan O'Reilly chose the now abandoned Roughs Tower platform to build an amusement park. However, after a while they quarreled, and Bates became the sole owner of the island. In 1967, O'Reilly tried to take possession of the island and used force to do so, but Bates defended himself with rifles, shotguns, Molotov cocktails and flamethrowers, and O'Reilly's attack was repulsed.
———————-
Roughs Tower platform Roughs Tower, on which Sealand is located
Roy did not build an amusement park, but chose a platform to base his pirate radio station, Britain's Better Music Station. On September 2, 1967, he announced the creation of a sovereign state and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. This day is celebrated as the main public holiday.
In 1968, the British authorities tried to take over the platform. Patrol boats approached her, and the princely family responded with warning shots in the air. It did not come to bloodshed, but a lawsuit was launched against Prince Roy as a British citizen. On September 2, 1968, an Essex judge issued a historic ruling: he recognized that the case was outside British jurisdiction.
In 1972, Sealand began minting coins. In 1975, Sealand's first constitution went into effect.
There was a flag and coat of arms.
Sealand is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is Prince Roy I Bates and Princess Joanna I Bates. Since 1999, Crown Prince Regent Michael I has exercised direct power. There is a constitution created in 1995, consisting of a preamble and 7 articles. The orders of the sovereign are issued in the form of decrees. There are three ministries in the structure of executive power: internal affairs, foreign affairs and telecommunications and technology. The legal system is based on British customary law.
In August 1978, a putsch took place in the country. He was preceded by the emergence of tension between the prince and his closest associate, the country's prime minister Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach (Alexander Gottfried Achenbach). The parties differed in their views on attracting investments to the country and accused each other of unconstitutional intentions. Taking advantage of the absence of the prince, who was negotiating with investors in Austria, Achenbach landed on the island with a group of Dutch citizens. The invaders locked the young Prince Michael in the basement and then took him to the Netherlands. But Michael escaped from captivity and met with his father. With the support of loyal citizens of the country, the deposed monarchs managed to defeat the usurpers and return to power.
The government acted in strict accordance with international law. The captured foreign mercenaries were soon released, as the Geneva Convention on the Rights of Prisoners of War requires the release of prisoners after the end of hostilities. The organizer of the coup was removed from all posts and convicted of high treason in accordance with Sealand laws, but he had a second - German - citizenship, so the authorities of the FRG became interested in his fate. The British Foreign Office refused to intervene in this matter, and the German diplomats had to negotiate directly with Sealand. The senior legal adviser of the German embassy in London, Dr. Niemüller, arrived on the island, which was the pinnacle of the actual recognition of Sealand by real states. Prince Roy demanded diplomatic recognition of Sealand, but in the end, given the bloodless nature of the failed putsch, he agreed to verbal assurances and generously released Achenbach.
The losers continued to insist on their rights. They formed the government of Sealand in exile (FRG). Achenbach claimed to be the chairman of the Sealand Privy Council. In January 1989, he was arrested by the German authorities (naturally, they did not recognize his diplomatic status) and handed over his post to the Minister for Economic Cooperation, Johannes W. F. Seiger, who soon became Prime Minister. Re-elected in 1994 and 1999.
Territory of Sealand with territorial waters
On September 30, 1987, Sealand announced the expansion of its territorial waters from 3 to 12 nautical miles. The UK made a similar announcement the next day. There was no reaction from the British government to the expansion of Sealand's territorial waters. From the point of view of international law, this means that the maritime zone between the two countries should be divided equally. This fact is considered by supporters of the independence of Sealand as a fact of his recognition. Although the lack of a bilateral agreement regulating this issue has caused dangerous incidents. So in 1990, Sealand fired warning shots at a British ship that approached its border without permission.
The name of Sealand, without the knowledge of the government, was involved in a grandiose criminal scam. In 1997, an extensive international syndicate came to the attention of Interpol, which established the trade in fake Sealand passports (Sealand itself never traded passports and did not provide political asylum). Over 150,000 false passports (including diplomatic ones), as well as driver's licenses, university diplomas and other fake documents were sold to citizens of Hong Kong (during its transfer to the control of the PRC) and Eastern Europe. In several European countries, attempts were made to open bank accounts and even purchase weapons using Sealand passports. The headquarters of malefactors was in Germany, the sphere of activity covered Spain, Great Britain, France, Slovenia, Romania and Russia. In the case, Russian citizen Igor Popov appeared as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sealand. In the United States, the connection of this case with the murder of Gianni Versace was discovered (the killer committed suicide on a yacht whose owner had a fake Sealand diplomatic passport). The Government of Sealand gave full cooperation to the investigation and after this unpleasant incident canceled the passports.
In 2000, the HavenCo company placed its hosting in Sealand, in return, the government undertook to guarantee the inviolability of freedom of information legislation (with regard to the Internet in Sealand, everything is allowed except spam, hacker attacks and child pornography). HavenCo hoped that its location on sovereign territory would save it from being subject to the restrictions of British Internet law. HavenCo ceased to exist in 2008.
In January 2007, the owners of the country decided to sell it. Immediately after this, the torrent site The Pirate Bay began raising funds for the acquisition of Sealand.
In January 2009, the Spanish real estate agency Inmo-Naranja announced its intention to exhibit
Sealand for sale for 750 million euros.
Sealand's position compares favorably with that of others virtual states. The Principality has a physical territory and has some legal grounds for international recognition. The requirement of independence is based on three arguments. The most fundamental of these is the fact that Sealand was founded in neutral waters before the entry into force of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prohibited the construction of artificial structures on the high seas, and before the expansion of the UK sovereign maritime zone from 3 to 12 nautical miles in 1987 year. Based on the fact that the Roughs Tower platform, on which Sealand is located, was abandoned and struck off the lists of the British Admiralty, its occupation is considered as colonization. The settlers who settled on it believe that they had every right to establish a state and establish a form of government at their discretion. Sealand meets all the criteria for statehood specified in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. According to international norms, the size of the state cannot be an obstacle to recognition. For example, the recognized British possession of Pitcairn Island has only about 60 people.
The second important argument is the decision of the British court in 1968 on the lack of UK jurisdiction over Sealand. No other country has also claimed Sealand.
Thirdly, there are several facts of de facto recognition of Sealand. The Montevideo Convention states that states have the right to exist and defend themselves, regardless of official recognition. In modern international practice, tacit (non-diplomatic) recognition is a fairly common phenomenon. It arises when a regime does not have sufficient legitimacy, but exercises actual power on its territory. For example, many states do not recognize Taiwan diplomatically, but treat it as a de facto sovereign country. With regard to Sealand, there are four such testimonies:
1. Great Britain does not pay a pension to Prince Roy for the period when he was in Sealand.
2. The UK courts refused to consider the claims against Sealand in 1968 and 1990.
3. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and Germany entered into negotiations with the Government of Sealand.
4. Belgian postal service accepted Sealand stamps for some time.
Theoretically, Sealand's position is very convincing. If recognized, the principality would become the smallest country in the world and the 49th state in Europe. However, according to the founding theory, more common in modern international law, a state can exist only insofar as it is recognized by other states. Therefore, Sealand cannot be accepted into any international organization, cannot have its own postal address, domain name. None of the countries established diplomatic relations with him.
Sealand is trying to achieve recognition of independence by some large state, but has not tried to achieve independence through the UN.
The first Sealand stamps with portraits of the great navigators were issued in 1968. Roy I intended to join the Universal Postal Union. To do this, in October 1969, he sent his emissary to Brussels, with a postal load of 980 letters. That is how many letters a new state needs to demand admission to this organization. The letters were provided with the first Sealand stamps. However, the intention of the prince remained only an intention.
In Sealand, there is the Sealand Anglican Church, founded on October 12, 2006.
On the territory of Sealand there is a chapel in the name of St. Brendan, nourished by the Metropolitan.
There are people in Sealand doing various types sports such as mini golf. Sealand also registered its football team among the unrecognized teams.
Equations of lines and curves in the plane
Generalized homogeneous equation Generalized homogeneous equations of the second order
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