Someone is calling for violence in the comments on my post. How do I document online hate?
If a comment threatens you because of an actual or perceived personal characteristic, preserve the exact words and their context. This helps distinguish a heated argument from discriminatory speech or a specific call for violence. If you are in immediate danger, call 112.
What matters when you report it?
Save the links to the post and profile, the date and time, and the surrounding comments. Note separately any mention of your address, workplace or a specific meeting. Reporting content to a platform asks it to review and remove the material; it does not necessarily alert the Bulgarian authorities. Keep the reference number and response for each report. You do not need to repost a threat to show what happened.
When does the authorities’ response matter?
In Beizaras and Levickas v. Lithuania, the European Court of Human Rights examined the authorities’ refusal to investigate serious homophobic comments, including calls for violence. The Court took account of the discriminatory way the complaint had been handled. The judgment does not mean that every insult requires prosecution. Explain why the words targeted you, how widely they were shared and whether anything followed offline. If you receive a written refusal, keep a record of when and how it was served so that a lawyer can assess your options.
Legal source: European Court of Human Rights, Beizaras and Levickas v. Lithuania.
For advice on your case, contact Mihail Tomov or another lawyer at Tomovi Law Firm.