The arrest of Radovan Karadzic is a big step in bringing to justice all those responsible for the Bosnian genocide. But we mustn't get carried away. Karadzic is still a long way from being convicted. He may yet evade justice, as Milosevic did. And let us not forget that the third member of the unholy Trinity who masterminded the genocide, Ratko Mladic, is still at large, probably being sheltered by the Serbian secret police. Only a handful of the many thousands of Serbs who took part in the Bosnian genocide have been brought to justice.
Even if Karadzic is convicted it will not undo what happened. It won't bring back the thousands murdered. It won't erase the terror inflicted on millions, nor the years of grief. It won't remove the scars, both physical and psychological. The actions of Karadzic will haunt the Bosnian people for generations. It will cast a shadow over the Serbian people for even longer. Nothing will change that.
The Bosnian genocide was a shame on all humanity, not just the Serbs. That the world stood by and watched as Karadzic and his henchmen carried out these crimes is an indictment on all of us. With Karadzic's arrest we have begun the process to redress that unforgivable act.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
