According to a staff member at the office of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in Ottawa, Montserrat is a British dependent territory (25 Oct. 1994). Montserrat is internally self-governing and it is administered through a governor appointed by the British Crown, an executive council and a legislative council. The Europa World Year Book 1994 confirms the above statement (1994, 3143).

A staff member of the British High Commission in Ottawa stated that citizens of Montserrat are not automatically British citizens and they do not enjoy any special consular status with Britain as a result of its dependent territory status (25 Oct. 1994). Montserrat citizens are treated as non-British or any other nationals of the English Commonwealth regarding rights and obligations (ibid.). To enter Britain, they must have a valid passport and a valid visitor's visa, and if they intend to work in Britain, they must have a valid work permit before arriving in the United Kingdom (ibid.). Any rights enjoyed in Britain are limited to those specified under the appropriate visas allowing them entry into Britain. A staff member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in Ottawa corroborated the above information provided by the staff member of the British High Commission (25 Oct. 1994).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

The Europa World Year Book 1994. 1994. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

High Commission of the United Kingdom, Ottawa. 25 October 1994. Telephone interview with staff member.

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Ottawa. 25 October 1994. Telephone interview with staff member.

The Europa World Year Book 1994. 1994. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications, pp. 3143-46.