Open Arms to go to Spain

Washington Times: Spain says Barcelona will be the docking port for an aid boat that rescued 60 migrants in waters near Libya but was not allowed to land by both Italy and Malta.

A spokesman with the prime minister’s office said the Open Arms boat, run under Spanish flag by the Barcelona-based aid group Proactiva Open Arms, had the right to dock in the eastern city.

The spokesman, who wasn’t authorized to be named in media reports, said it would take four days for the boat to reach Barcelona.

The new Socialist government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is pressing other European Union nations to treat rescued migrants with dignity and in line with international law.

Spain has overtaken Italy this year in the number of migrants who have arrived on land and by sea

In the meantime Open Arms tweeted that it received authorization to disembark in Barcelona. On board the Open Arms there are 60 people which were rescued this morning from the Mediterranean Sea. Open Arms accused Italy and Malta with inhumane policies and closed ports.