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Definitions
Dependent Territory: | A territory belonging by settlement, conquest or annexation to the British Crown or to an independent Commonwealth country. |
Associated State: | A state which is fully self-governing and has its own Parliament, but as a full member of the Commonwealth is responsible for its external affairs and defence. The association can be terminated at any time should an associated state opt for full independence. |
Protected State: | A territory which, while retaining its own sovereignty, has entered into a treaty giving the British Government certain rights and responsibilities. Its people are British protected persons. |
Trust Territory: | A territory (formerly a colony of a nation defeated in war) whose administration was entrusted to Britain by the United Nations Trusteeship Council. |
- Denotes Special Members who have the right to participate in all functional meetings and activities of the Commonwealth. Special Members do not attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGMs).
i | For the purposes of the British Nationality Act 1981 and related legislation, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are regarded as integral parts of the United Kingdom. |
ii | Areas in Section 2(1) of the Cyprus Act 1960. |
iii | Suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth. Although a member, excluded from all intergovernmental meetings, including CHOGMs. |
iv | The Cook Islands have complete internal self-government, but Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens. |
v | Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth in November 1995, but its nationals continued to be Commonwealth citizens pending constitutional reform and acceptance. The suspension was lifted on 29 May 1999. |
vi | Pakistan was suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth in 1999. Full membership restored on 23 May 2004. |
vii | Suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth. Although a member, excluded from all intergovernmental meetings, including CHOGMs. |