Political status
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In international law three categories of Political status are usually recognized:
- Independent countries e.g.: France, Canada
- Internal independent countries which are under the protection of another country in matters of defense and foreign affairs, e.g.: Netherlands Antilles, the Faroe Islands, Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands etc.
- Colonies and other dependent political units e.g.: Guadeloupe, Guam, Guernsey
There are, furthermore, several unrecognized countries and independence, secessionist, autonomy and nationalist movements throughout the world. See list of unrecognized countries.
[edit] Political status in Northern Ireland
During the Troubles in Northern Ireland special category status or 'political status' was granted to both Irish Republican and Ulster Loyalist operatives or terrorists while in prison. Under the system designated prisoners were excused from prison work, prison uniforms and allowed free association. This system of status was ended by the British government in 1976 in an attempt to move away from concessions or ameliorated relations with the Republican movement. This revocation led to the blanket protest and 1981 Irish hunger strike, which climaxed with the deaths of 10 Republican prisoners [1].
