Corruption Perception Escalates as Turkish Cypriots Demand Accountability
In a significant display of public dissent, Turkish Cypriots have taken to the streets to protest against deep-rooted corruption, calling for a thorough cleansing of the system. The march, which saw participation from various civil society organizations and political factions, echoed with chants decrying “theft, bribery, nepotism, and money laundering,” particularly in the northern part of Cyprus.
This public outcry was fueled by a recent 2023 study that highlighted an alarming trend of pervasive and escalating corruption in the region. The study, adopting the methodology of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), assigned the north a disconcerting score of 27 out of 100, indicating a high level of corruption. This score situates the north at the 140th position alongside Cameroon, trailing behind nations fraught with conflict such as Gabon and Mali.
Omer Gokcekus, an academic involved in the study, expressed grave concerns over the worsening situation. “There is a very clear downwards spiral,” he remarked, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue. Since 2017, when the initial study was conducted and the north scored a relatively higher 40, there has been a significant decline in the region’s standing on the corruption index.
Corruption rampant among ministers
A survey conducted among business executives revealed that a staggering 93% perceive corruption as prevalent, with 80% considering it a severe problem. Ministers and politically appointed senior civil servants were identified as the most corrupt groups, while law enforcement and judiciary were seen as comparatively less corrupt.
Bribery
Alarmingly, 25% of business executives admitted to engaging in bribery or similar acts over the past year. The reluctance to discuss bribery was evident, with 14% choosing not to respond to questions on the matter. The primary motivations for bribery included expediting and finalizing procedures, as well as receiving preferential treatment.
Money laundering
The study also shed light on concerns regarding money laundering, with more than half of the participants believing it to be a common practice. This has been exacerbated by an influx of foreign investment in the region, prompting legislative action against money laundering.
Political corruption
Political corruption also emerged as a significant issue, with vote-buying and offering favors during elections being commonplace according to respondents. There was also an indication of voter intimidation to influence electoral outcomes.
Moreover, a concerning trend has been observed in the community’s growing tolerance towards corruption. An increasing number of individuals find it acceptable to leverage personal connections for expediting public services or to overlook government corruption if services are deemed satisfactory.
The revelations about high-profile figures such as Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and head of the ruling coalition Unal Ustel being implicated in past scandals have only intensified public scrutiny and demands for reform. As Gokcekus warns, normalizing corruption poses a significant threat: “If you don’t see something as a problem, if it doesn’t bother you, you don’t try to fight it.”
