” “"The sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights cannot be reduced to a mere celebration". According to Jacques Barrot, deputy president of the European Commission, today must "be, for the EU and its citizens, an opportunity to renew their commitment to serve human beings, their freedom, their dignity". Barrot mentions that this "must be an absolute imperative in a world in which, unfortunately, intolerance, contempt for other people and violence are a matter of course". The EU Commissioner recalls that "the respect of human rights, such as peace, can never be taken for granted". Then, he mentions the success-stories of the Council of Europe and the Strasbourg Court of Human Rights, "such as the eradication of death penalty" in the old continent. The deputy president of the EU Executive also makes a wish: "May the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU become, through the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, a legally binding reality next year" in the European Union, "so as to be able to persecute anyone who seriously violates the essential rights".” “
