Skip to main content

Sealand

Description​

The Principality of Sealand is a constitutional monarchy nearby the south eastern coast of England.

Discussion​

In September of 1967 Sealand was founded from infrastructure which had been used during World War II.

The main "fortress" is situated approximately seven nautical miles from the coastline of Great Britain, meaning it sits in the territorial waters of the United Kingdom.

The journey to independence was largely motivated by Roy Bates' broadcasting a "pirate radio" station.

The Constitution was proclaimed in September 1975

Sealand's motto is E Mare Libertas, From the Sea is Freedom.

Sealand is an island in the southern part of the North Sea, Latitude 51-53 North, Longitude 01-28 East. The Principality of Sealand was founded in 1967 and founded as a sovereign state. The Sovereign of the Principality of Sealand H. H. Prince Roy of Sealand has proclaimed in 1975 a fundamental law to his state. Based on this constitution several laws became legal. The knowledge of present laws is fundamentally important for national and international relations. - Sealand Constitution

Implementation​

Constitution of 1975​

... § 2.1. Everyone has the right to the free development of his or her personality, as far as this does not infringe upon the rights of others.

§ 2.2. Everyone has the right to life and physical safety. The freedom of the person is unassailable and may be restricted only by law. ... § 13. The general provisions of international law are a constituent part of the constitutional law of Sealand and have precedence over other laws; they create rights and duties directly for the nationals of the State.

Constitution of 1989​

Preamble: In 1978, the people of the Principality of Sealand, represented by the newly appointed government, gives itself the following Constitution which, following the 3rd Law Governing Changes to the Constitution of August 7, 1989, shall be known as the Basic Law of the Principality of Sealand... The Basic Law (BL) is binding above all for the exiled Government of Sealand and is directly binding for the representatives of the government. The strict exigencies of the Constitution for the nomination and upkeep of a firm seat for all governmental initiatives are part of the grounds for the exile. The nomination of a seat is seen as independent of the measures or attitudes of the organs of the host country and is inalienable.

Further Resources​