The landmark Hague Congress of 1948 federated those who wished for a new and progressive European polity ... [This] included a court that to act as a powerful guardian of the values upon which human civilisation rests. The first achievement of this movement was the Council of Europe, which came into being in 1949. And within this new body, the first major achievement was the European Convention on Human Rights, adopted 60 years ago. And so modern Europe’s trust in the rule of law, and its faith in the judicial process became reality.