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Human rights

Historic Human Rights Verdict: Jury Awards $20M+ To Sudanese Refugees In Landmark Genocide Litigation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A Manhattan federal jury has delivered a landmark decision in the Kashef v. BNP Paribas case, finding the global banking giant liable for its role in enabling the genocidal atrocities committed against Black African civilians in Sudan by the al-Bashir dictatorship from 2002 to 2008. The verdict marks a historic moment in human rights and financial accountability, setting a precedent for holding global banks civilly liable for facilitating regimes accused of crimes against humanity. The jury awarded $6.4 million to Abulgasim Abdalla, $7.3 million to Entesar Osman Kashef, and $6.75 million to Turjuman Adam in damages, with over 20,000 Sudanese refugees living in the United States expected to seek billions more in recovery.

Key Takeaways:

  • The jury found BNP Paribas liable for its role in enabling the genocidal atrocities committed against Black African civilians in Sudan by the al-Bashir dictatorship from 2002 to 2008.
  • The verdict marks a historic moment in human rights and financial accountability, setting a precedent for holding global banks civilly liable for facilitating regimes accused of crimes against humanity.
  • The jury awarded a total of $20.4 million in damages to three plaintiffs: $6.4 million to Abulgasim Abdalla, $7.3 million to Entesar Osman Kashef, and $6.75 million to Turjuman Adam.
  • The verdict is among the first of its kind to hold a global bank civilly liable for financially enabling human rights abuses.
  • The lawsuit, Kashef, et al. v. BNP Paribas, et al., was brought on behalf of Sudanese refugees who fled violence and persecution throughout Sudan.
  • The plaintiffs alleged that BNP Paribas's deliberate facilitation of billions in U.S. dollar transactions for Sudan's government enabled the regime's campaign of ethnic cleansing, displacement, and mass killing.
  • The verdict sends a powerful message that banks and corporations can and will be held responsible for the real-world consequences of their actions.
  • Lead Trial Attorney stated, "This verdict is a victory for justice and accountability... The jury recognized that financial institutions cannot turn a blind eye to the consequences of their actions."

Statistics:

  • 2002-2008: the al-Bashir dictatorship committed genocidal atrocities against Black African civilians in Sudan.
  • 20,000+: the number of Sudanese refugees living in the United States expected to seek billions more in recovery.
  • $20.4 million: the total amount awarded in damages to three plaintiffs.
  • $6.4 million: the amount awarded to Abulgasim Abdalla.
  • $7.3 million: the amount awarded to Entesar Osman Kashef.
  • $6.75 million: the amount awarded to Turjuman Adam.

Sources:

  • "Historic Human Rights Verdict: Jury Awards $20M+ To Sudanese Refugees In Landmark Genocide Litigation" by DiCello Levitt LLP, issued 17-Oct-2025 over PR Newswire.
  • "About DiCello Levitt" by DiCello Levitt LLP.
  • "About Hausfeld" by Hausfeld.
  • "About Hecht Partners" by Hecht Partners.
  • "About Zuckerman Spaeder" by Zuckerman Spaeder.

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