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The story of Principality of Sealand, a microstate of just over 500 square meters, it is just like a movie. It is located on an ex naval base which was used during the Second World War. Its owners assure it that it is a country, even if other states have never recognized it. A movie story set in the middle of the ocean.
In the late 1960s, Paddy Roy Bates, a former British Army major, was looking for a place to settle to continue his illegal radio broadcasts. After several conflicts with the courts of United Kingdomin 1966 he moved with his family to the abandoned maritime platform called HM Fort Roughs.
This had been used by the British Army in air defense against the Nazis during World War II, but was never destroyed after use. On September 2, 1967, Bates decided to proclaim the platform as a sovereign territory and dictate the creation of the principality of tideof which he declared himself sovereign.
Roy Bates, founder of the Principality of Sealand and his wife, Joan Bates.
“From the sea, freedom”
The microstate has a flaga Constitution is one official currency, as well as 12 nautical miles of territorial waters. What attracts the attention of the people who visit it is the idea of getting tired of what is established, going against the tide, getting away from everything and applying new laws in their own territory, a much coveted idea.
This country, which rarely has more than thirty inhabitants a year, has a motto written at the bottom of its shield: “And Sea Freedom“(From the sea, freedom), which seeks to symbolize the ideals upon which it was created.
The Prince of Sealand died on 9 October 2012 in an Essex nursing home after suffering from Alzheimer’s for several years. Your son Michele Bateswho was already in charge of the administration of the territory, was the heir to the microstate.
The Fort Roughs maritime platform was built in 1942 by the Royal Marines of the United Kingdom.
legal loopholes
A big question about this small country that stands on a concrete structure in the waters of the North Sea is how it sustains itself economically. Michele Batesthe current prince, assured in an interview with the BBC: “We sell noble titles, T-shirts, mugs, stamps, coins and almost everything that has to do with our little mini-state”.
He added: “I also travel for business, I have other business interests related to seafood and other internet matters.” Bates says so too Land of March It has a phone, the Internet, passports (although they stopped issuing them after the 9/11 attacks), and even a data storage company called HavenCo.
A noteworthy fact is that the naval platform was created by the United Kingdom near the Essex coast, during World War II, in International waters. Namely, it was illegally built outside British territorial waters during the war, but was not destroyed afterwards. What generated a perfect legal vacuum that led to its independence.
Roy Bates and his wife, Joan Bates.
conflict with Germany
Land of March it has also had controversial episodes in its history. In 1978 a group of mercenaries Germans and Dutch during the night he broke into the naval base and tried to take over the place. The raiders were arrested by the Bates family, who then took them as prisoners of war.
This gave rise to a confusing event which led to different interpretations. Shortly thereafter, the German ambassador and an official British delegation arrived at the scene to negotiate the release of the hostages. Immediately generating recognition, according to the Bates family in fact to the principality of tide from Germany.
And recognition from other states is something that puts it Land of March. According to American Society of International Lawthe Montevideo Convention has a standard definition of state. These criteria that must be met are: permanent population, determined territory, government and the ability to establish relations with other countries.
Michael Bates with his book “Principality of Sealand: Holding the Fort”.
recognition orofficial
“We can and have done all of these things. We once visited the German ambassador to discuss something,” said the current prince, Michael Bates. In any case, Germany has never recognized the microstate officially.
The Principality of Sealand: its territory is a former marine platform, called Fort Roughs, abandoned in 1956.
The other conflict that this particular monarchy had was in 1968 when a British navy ship, which was circulating near the platform, was attacked by Michele Bates who shot him as a warning not to approach. This was brought to British justice, which it decided it could not judge as it was international waters and not British territory.
Michael Bates currently lives with his family in United Kingdom and you reside only in Land of March from 2 to 30 people, depending on the time of year. All are employed by the Bates family and are dedicated to basic maintenance activities.
Gaston Sanchez
Source: Clarin
