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Liberland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates:
45°46′N 18°52′E
The Free Republic of Liberland (Czech: Svobodná republika Liberland) is a micronation claiming a parcel of disputed land on the western bank of the Danube river, between Croatia and Serbia. It was proclaimed on 13 April 2015 by Czech libertarian politician and activist Vít Jedlička.[1][2]
The official website of Liberland states that the nation was created due to the ongoing Croatia–Serbia border dispute.[3][4][5] There has been no diplomatic recognition of Liberland by any country from the United Nations. Legal experts in both Serbia and Croatia maintain that Jedlička's claims lack legal basis, and multiple sources have reported that both Serbia and Croatia dispute ownership of the land Jedlička has targeted.[6][6][7] Croatia and Serbia have dismissed Jedlička's claims as frivolous, and Croatia, who currently administers the land in question, has stated that after international arbitration, it be awarded to Croatia or Serbia, not to a third party.[8]
Croatia has blocked access to the area since the beginning of May 2015.[6] Vít Jedlička was twice detained for less than a day by Croatian authorities in the same month.
3 Administration
3.1 Citizenship
4 Recognition
4.1 Official statements from states
4.2 Official statements from political parties
4.3 Statements from other micronation projects
5 See also
6 References
7 General sources
The territory claimed by Liberland is situated at the largest green-colored land parcel, marked as "Siga" on the map. Due to differences in the border definitions, the yellow-colored parts to the east are claimed by both Serbia and Croatia. Jedlička asserts that the green parts have remained unclaimed by both sides, though Serbia and Croatia disagree.
For more details on this topic, see Croatia–Serbia border dispute.
Since the Yugoslav Wars, some borderland territories between Serbia and Croatia have been disputed, such as the Island of Vukovar and the Island of Šarengrad; multiple news sources have reported that both Serbia and Croatia claim ownership of the land Jedlička has targeted.[6][7] Jedlička, however, says that the land he has claimed, known as Gornja Siga (meaning upper tufa), was not claimed by either side.[2][1][4]
The area is about 7 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi), and most of it is covered with forests. There are no residents. A journalist from Parlamentní listy (cz) who visited the area in April 2015 found a house that had been abandoned for about thirty years, according to people living in the vicinity. The access road was reported to be in a bad condition.[9]
The Danube river, which is the only coastline of the territory, is an international waterway with free access to the Black Sea for several landlocked nations.
Jedlička states that neither Serbia, Croatia nor any other nation claims the land as its own (terra nullius). The border, he argues, is defined in accordance with Croatian and Serbian border claims and does not interfere with any other state sovereignty.[1] Jedlička said in April 2015 that an official diplomatic note would be sent to both Croatia and Serbia, and later to all other states, with a formal request for international recognition.[12]
In an interview with Parlamentní Listy in April, Jedlička claimed that he had received positive reactions for his initiative, mainly from his own party, but also from some members of the Civic Democratic Party and the Pirate Party.[10]
Dominik Stroukal from the Czech-Slovak branch of the Ludwig von Mises Institute wrote: "The escapade succeeded for Vít. The whole world reports about Liberland with words like 'tax competition', 'libertarianism', etc."[16]
Goran Vojković from the Croatian tabloid index.hr described Liberland as a "circus which threatens Croatian territory", and argued that there was a risk that Croatia's claim to control land on the other side of the Danube may be weakened by the attention that the Liberland project has drawn to the border dispute.[17]
Topics also covered included the concept of voluntary taxation and how the large number of citizenship applications had made it necessary to make the process more effective and restructure it, since it was only based on an e-mail account. A plan to organize some type of event where everything is sold tax-free was mentioned, and Jedlička submitted that Croatia would not be able to prosecute them because the country had stated that the area is not within its jurisdiction.[18]
A team of journalists from the Serbian public broadcast service Radio Television of Vojvodina attempted to visit the area to make a news report. They reported that the Croatian border police denied them access without providing any clear explanation, and told them the flag had been taken down.[19] However, a group of Czech reporters managed to enter the area later the same week.[9]
A Bosnian group of journalists from Dnevni Avaz who attempted to visit the area were told by Croatian police that Croatia enforces a fine of HRK 2,500 for those that enter the zone near the border with a car. They borrowed bicycles from a local, but as they attempted to reach the area again, they met another patrol, and they couldn't continue past the border gate.[20]
In May 2015, Vít Jedlička and his translator Sven Sambunjak were shortly detained by Croatian police after making an attempt to cross the border. Jedlička spent one night in detention and then was convicted and ordered to pay a fine for illegal crossing of the Croatian border[21] but appealed the verdict. He claimed that there were at least three Liberland citizens inside the area, who came from Switzerland.[22] He didn't view the arrest as something negative, but rather as an opportunity to discuss politics and get insights on the thoughts among those who work for the Croatian police and government. According to Jedlička, the police officers were friendly and curious about the project.[23][24][25]
A few days after his detention, six other people (from the Czech Republic, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, and the USA) were detained and fined. A complaint to the Danish Embassy in Zagreb was made because they allege they were prevented from contacting anyone during the apprehension and detention. Their goal, under the auspices of the Swiss non-profit organization Liberland Settlement Association, was to settle the disputed area.[26]
According to the Liberlandian website, Jedlička and 10 other people were detained again 16 May 2015 by Croatian police. Jedlička was released after a court hearing 17 May 2015.[27]
Croatian police have continued detaining anyone that entered the area.[28] On 13 June, 4 people who managed to land there were detained for illegal border crossing by boat.[29][30] According to the Liberland Settlement Corporation, they were released 14 June.[31]
On 18 June 2015, Danish activist Ulrik Grøssel Haagensen accessed the area via a small boat and was followed onto the land by Croatian police. Haagensen attempted to claim he had the right to access the land, but was placed under arrest and dragged off the land and into a Croatian police vessel. The incident was caught on video. Jedlička stated that he intends to attempt bringing Croatia to court for crossing an international border and invading Liberland.[32][33]
Liberland has published a draft version of a codified constitution[34] and a list of laws to be included in the constitution.[35] These documents describe Liberland as a country governed under a three-power system with executive, legislative and judicial sectors that seek to promote individual rights. It has also a list of criminal offences, which include "polluting environment", "public nuisance" in addition to crimes such as murder, manslaughter and theft. There are plans for an official cryptocurrency system, although all other currencies will be allowed.[10]
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates:
45°46′N 18°52′E
| ||||||
| Motto: Žít a nechat žít To live and let live | ||||||
 Claimed location of Liberland | ||||||
| Czech, English[1] | ||||||
| Constitutional republic | ||||||
| - | President | Vít Jedlička (founder) | ||||
| - | Established | 13 April 2015 | ||||
| - | Total | 7 km2 3 sq mi | ||||
| - | estimate | 0 | ||||
| CET (UTC+1) | ||||||
| - | Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||||
| Website http://liberland.org | ||||||
The official website of Liberland states that the nation was created due to the ongoing Croatia–Serbia border dispute.[3][4][5] There has been no diplomatic recognition of Liberland by any country from the United Nations. Legal experts in both Serbia and Croatia maintain that Jedlička's claims lack legal basis, and multiple sources have reported that both Serbia and Croatia dispute ownership of the land Jedlička has targeted.[6][6][7] Croatia and Serbia have dismissed Jedlička's claims as frivolous, and Croatia, who currently administers the land in question, has stated that after international arbitration, it be awarded to Croatia or Serbia, not to a third party.[8]
Croatia has blocked access to the area since the beginning of May 2015.[6] Vít Jedlička was twice detained for less than a day by Croatian authorities in the same month.
Contents
Geography
The territory claimed by Liberland is situated at the largest green-colored land parcel, marked as "Siga" on the map. Due to differences in the border definitions, the yellow-colored parts to the east are claimed by both Serbia and Croatia. Jedlička asserts that the green parts have remained unclaimed by both sides, though Serbia and Croatia disagree.
For more details on this topic, see Croatia–Serbia border dispute.
Since the Yugoslav Wars, some borderland territories between Serbia and Croatia have been disputed, such as the Island of Vukovar and the Island of Šarengrad; multiple news sources have reported that both Serbia and Croatia claim ownership of the land Jedlička has targeted.[6][7] Jedlička, however, says that the land he has claimed, known as Gornja Siga (meaning upper tufa), was not claimed by either side.[2][1][4]
The area is about 7 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi), and most of it is covered with forests. There are no residents. A journalist from Parlamentní listy (cz) who visited the area in April 2015 found a house that had been abandoned for about thirty years, according to people living in the vicinity. The access road was reported to be in a bad condition.[9]
The Danube river, which is the only coastline of the territory, is an international waterway with free access to the Black Sea for several landlocked nations.
History
The flag raising in Gornja Siga was performed by Vít Jedlička and some of his associates at the same day the republic was proclaimed.[10][11] Jedlička is a member of the Czech Party of Free Citizens, which bases its values on the classical liberal ideology.[4]Jedlička states that neither Serbia, Croatia nor any other nation claims the land as its own (terra nullius). The border, he argues, is defined in accordance with Croatian and Serbian border claims and does not interfere with any other state sovereignty.[1] Jedlička said in April 2015 that an official diplomatic note would be sent to both Croatia and Serbia, and later to all other states, with a formal request for international recognition.[12]
Reactions
Legal experts in both Serbia and Croatia have said that, under international law, Jedlička lacks the right claim the disputed area, which is currently the subject of a dispute between the two nations.[6][7][13] Journalists have been uncertain as to how serious Jedlička is about his claims, with some calling it a publicity stunt.[14][15]In an interview with Parlamentní Listy in April, Jedlička claimed that he had received positive reactions for his initiative, mainly from his own party, but also from some members of the Civic Democratic Party and the Pirate Party.[10]
Dominik Stroukal from the Czech-Slovak branch of the Ludwig von Mises Institute wrote: "The escapade succeeded for Vít. The whole world reports about Liberland with words like 'tax competition', 'libertarianism', etc."[16]
Goran Vojković from the Croatian tabloid index.hr described Liberland as a "circus which threatens Croatian territory", and argued that there was a risk that Croatia's claim to control land on the other side of the Danube may be weakened by the attention that the Liberland project has drawn to the border dispute.[17]
University lecture
On 20 April, Jedlička held a lecture at the Prague School of Economics, titled "Liberland – how a state is born" (Czech: Liberland – jak vzniká stát). He discussed various aspects of the project and the interest it has managed to attract around the world. One topic that he brought up was the Montevideo Convention, and explained how Liberland was getting closer to satisfying the principles of the convention, which is commonly used to define a state. At the time of the lecture, the Liberland project had assigned ten people to the task of handling foreign relations—people who were reportedly willing to establish residency on the territory.[18]Topics also covered included the concept of voluntary taxation and how the large number of citizenship applications had made it necessary to make the process more effective and restructure it, since it was only based on an e-mail account. A plan to organize some type of event where everything is sold tax-free was mentioned, and Jedlička submitted that Croatia would not be able to prosecute them because the country had stated that the area is not within its jurisdiction.[18]
Access
Croatia has deployed police units to prevent Liberland staff and supporters from reaching the area.[6]A team of journalists from the Serbian public broadcast service Radio Television of Vojvodina attempted to visit the area to make a news report. They reported that the Croatian border police denied them access without providing any clear explanation, and told them the flag had been taken down.[19] However, a group of Czech reporters managed to enter the area later the same week.[9]
A Bosnian group of journalists from Dnevni Avaz who attempted to visit the area were told by Croatian police that Croatia enforces a fine of HRK 2,500 for those that enter the zone near the border with a car. They borrowed bicycles from a local, but as they attempted to reach the area again, they met another patrol, and they couldn't continue past the border gate.[20]
In May 2015, Vít Jedlička and his translator Sven Sambunjak were shortly detained by Croatian police after making an attempt to cross the border. Jedlička spent one night in detention and then was convicted and ordered to pay a fine for illegal crossing of the Croatian border[21] but appealed the verdict. He claimed that there were at least three Liberland citizens inside the area, who came from Switzerland.[22] He didn't view the arrest as something negative, but rather as an opportunity to discuss politics and get insights on the thoughts among those who work for the Croatian police and government. According to Jedlička, the police officers were friendly and curious about the project.[23][24][25]
A few days after his detention, six other people (from the Czech Republic, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, and the USA) were detained and fined. A complaint to the Danish Embassy in Zagreb was made because they allege they were prevented from contacting anyone during the apprehension and detention. Their goal, under the auspices of the Swiss non-profit organization Liberland Settlement Association, was to settle the disputed area.[26]
According to the Liberlandian website, Jedlička and 10 other people were detained again 16 May 2015 by Croatian police. Jedlička was released after a court hearing 17 May 2015.[27]
Croatian police have continued detaining anyone that entered the area.[28] On 13 June, 4 people who managed to land there were detained for illegal border crossing by boat.[29][30] According to the Liberland Settlement Corporation, they were released 14 June.[31]
On 18 June 2015, Danish activist Ulrik Grøssel Haagensen accessed the area via a small boat and was followed onto the land by Croatian police. Haagensen attempted to claim he had the right to access the land, but was placed under arrest and dragged off the land and into a Croatian police vessel. The incident was caught on video. Jedlička stated that he intends to attempt bringing Croatia to court for crossing an international border and invading Liberland.[32][33]
Administration
A government with ten to twenty members has been suggested for the administration of Liberland, to be elected by electronic voting.[10] Liberland intends to operate on an open-border policy.[10] The official motto of Liberland is "To live and let live" (Czech: Žít a nechat žít).[1] The goal of the micronation is to create a society where righteous people can prosper with minimal state regulations and taxes.[10][12] The founders are inspired by countries like Monaco and Liechtenstein.[12]Liberland has published a draft version of a codified constitution[34] and a list of laws to be included in the constitution.[35] These documents describe Liberland as a country governed under a three-power system with executive, legislative and judicial sectors that seek to promote individual rights. It has also a list of criminal offences, which include "polluting environment", "public nuisance" in addition to crimes such as murder, manslaughter and theft. There are plans for an official cryptocurrency system, although all other currencies will be allowed.[10]
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