In the case Ilareva and Others v. Bulgaria, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of the Bulgarian nationals Valeria Ilareva, Lidia Staykova, and Krasimir Kanev, who are involved in non-governmental organisations working for the protection of minority and migrant rights.

The case concerned the national authorities’ alleged failure to conduct an effective investigation into graphic threats made against the applicants on Facebook in connection with their professional activities.

Relying on Articles 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) and 8 (right to respect for private and family life), alone or in conjunction with Articles 13 (right to an effective remedy) and 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights, the applicants complained that the authorities had failed to effectively investigate their case.

The Court found a violation of Article 8 in conjunction with Article 14, and awarded EUR 4,500 to the first applicant, EUR 5,500 to the second applicant, and EUR 4,500 to the third applicant, as well as EUR 2,521.77 in respect of costs and expenses.