News Summary
A federal jury has awarded nearly $21 million to three U.S. plaintiffs against BNP Paribas for its complicity in human rights abuses in Sudan. The bank allegedly facilitated the Sudanese government’s access to U.S. financial systems, exacerbating severe human rights violations. Although BNP Paribas plans to appeal the verdict, this case could represent a significant step toward accountability for financial institutions involved in such atrocities.
New York – A federal jury has awarded nearly $21 million to three U.S. citizens against BNP Paribas S.A., the largest bank in France, for its involvement in the human rights atrocities committed by the Sudanese government. The verdict, which comes after four hours of jury deliberation, was announced recently and is a significant step towards holding the bank accountable for its actions during a time marked by severe human rights violations in Sudan.
The plaintiffs, who are U.S. citizens displaced from Sudan, each received awards ranging from $6.7 million to $7.3 million. They argued that BNP Paribas played a crucial role in facilitating the Sudanese government’s access to the U.S. financial system, which helped sustain the government’s campaign of persecution against its own citizens. Their attorney expressed that the verdict is an important stride towards justice and accountability.
BNP Paribas, however, has expressed strong disagreement with the jury’s decision, stating that the verdict is “clearly wrong” and that the bank intends to appeal. The bank contends that it was not allowed to present critical evidence during the trial and insists that it did not knowingly assist the Sudanese government in committing human rights abuses. It also pointed out that Sudan had other financial resources beyond its access to BNP Paribas.
The bank’s involvement with Sudan dates back to as early as 2002, where it provided the Sudanese authorities with access to international money markets. The situation in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, has been catastrophic, with estimates indicating that up to 300,000 people have been killed and around 2.7 million displaced over the years due to ongoing violence and civil conflict.
Current conditions in Sudan remain dire, exacerbated by a civil war that has lasted for over two years, creating a humanitarian crisis characterized by displacement and widespread hunger. Past actions of the Sudanese government, especially during the rule of former President Omar al-Bashir, have been condemned internationally. Al-Bashir is currently detained and facing charges of genocide by the International Criminal Court, although he has not yet been handed over for trial.
During the trial, BNP Paribas defended itself by arguing that human rights abuses did not begin or end with the bank’s operations and noted that it never financed military purchases for the Sudanese regime. Despite this, the outcome of the trial could set a precedent, as the plaintiffs have the potential to represent approximately 23,000 other U.S. citizens from Sudan who might also seek to join a class-action lawsuit against the bank.
A spokesperson for BNP Paribas stated that this particular verdict pertains only to the three plaintiffs involved and does not have broader implications for the bank’s operations or liability in other contexts. This case is not BNP Paribas’s first encounter with legal issues in relation to sanctioned countries. The bank previously settled U.S. charges in 2014 for nearly $9 billion due to processing transactions for Sudan, Cuba, and Iran, which violated U.S. sanctions.
The verdict against BNP Paribas represents a significant moment in the fight for justice for victims of human rights abuses linked to financial institutions. As the appeal process unfolds, the spotlight will remain on how financial entities navigate their involvement in countries with troubling human rights records.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Reuters
- Al Jazeera
- Fortune
- Financial Times
- Los Angeles Times
- Wikipedia: Sudan
- Google Search: BNP Paribas Sudan atrocities
- Google Scholar: BNP Paribas human rights
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sudan
- Google News: BNP Paribas Sudan
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
