Banking on genocide: The racial disparities and patriotic politics of a massive international corruption case

Abstract

We focus on the 2015 conviction in New York of BNP Paribas Bank for its role in the Darfur genocide. Proceeds from this case were used by congress to create a terrorism fund to compensate American victims of the 9/11 Twin Towers attack, while Black victims of the Darfur genocide received no compensation. This paper uses a sequential theory developed by David Garland to understand the racialized persistence of the American death penalty and its implications for understanding the creation of the Twin Towers Fund. A civil suit is presently drawing on the BNP conviction to again seek compensation for Darfur genocide victims. Garland’s approach helps us to better understand the evolution of the Darfur case.