In the case of E.L. v. Lithuania the Court held that there had been a violation of the right to prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment/investigation.

The case concerned the applicant’s allegation that he had been sexually abused by three older boys when placed in a children’s hom.

The Court found that both the prosecuting authorities and the courts had been reluctant to order or to explicitly address the need for a comprehensive psychiatric and psychological examination in connection with the alleged abuse, despite the applicant’s requests. The authorities had therefore failed in their Convention duty to effectively investigate the applicant’s allegation of ill-treatment.

• Press release
• Factsheet: Minors