Spanish rescue ship Open Arms at sea with around 120 migrants after docking permission denied

THE Spanish Open Arms migrant rescue ship spent its fifth night at sea yesterday (Monday) with more than 120 on board after Italy and Malta refused it permission to dock.

The NGO which operates the boat said their passengers included one mother-of-two who was tortured and raped in Libya while trying to protect her children.

Primer domingo de agosto #OpenArms
Una noche más a bordo y seguimos sin autorización para desembarcar a las 121 personas que rescatamos #Med
Sus historias de vida son devastadoras. Nadie debería pasar eso.
Es urgente y prioritario tener un puerto seguro. pic.twitter.com/ZyttfOntC1

— Open Arms (@openarms_fund) August 4, 2019

Another 25-year-old was found with bullet wounds in his feet after being shot while trying to flee a Libyan detention centre.

Open Arms said it was told by Malta to call on Spain, as its flag state, to put in a request with the EU to resolve the situation.

Vidas rescatadas a la deriva a bordo un viejo barco con voluntari@s, que les cuidaremos hasta qque Europa reaccione y asigne un puerto seguro donde desembarcar.
Y todo gracias a las personas que nos apoyáis.Más que nunca os necesitamos a nuestro lado. #antespresosquecomplices pic.twitter.com/FuAsxztkEp

— Open Arms (@openarms_fund) August 4, 2019

EU member states are required to submit requests so migrants can be distributed in countries across the block.

The EU said it had not yet received a request from a member st.ate to resolve the situation.

Hora de dormir #Openarms
¿Recordáis todas las mantas que nos donasteis hace unos meses? Ya tienen a quien dar calor. Porque cada manta es una vida a salvo.
Gracias, porque cuando os necesitamos estáis a nuestro lado.
De corazón, gracias. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wF1HNUHfC4

— Open Arms (@openarms_fund) August 4, 2019

Open Arms director Oscar Camp is thought to have asked Spanish officials to put in a request.

Spanish Development Minister Jose Luis Abalos said the EU needed a ‘common policy’ on migration.

“Spain cannot have the image of being the only safe harbour,” Abalos said.

Vida.
Futuro.
Dignidad.
Familia.
Esperanza a bordo del #Openarms
❤️ pic.twitter.com/pt7ViMvdxs

— Open Arms (@openarms_fund) August 5, 2019

Malta has twice refused to allow the boat to dock while Italy did not respond. The two countries offer the nearest safest ports and their refusal breaks international maritime rescue agreements.

Italy recently passed a law making any humanitarian ship which enters its waters liable for a €1,000,000 fine.