These are the ‘fresh’ findings of a serious survey…
73% of people living in this country believe that bribery and corruption are ‘highly prevalent’ in the TRNC.
Two out of every three people believe corruption will increase in the country by 2025. Only 3% say ‘corruption has declined’…
64% of the population cite the leasing of public buildings and land as the areas where ‘bribery’ is most prevalent.
The percentage of those who say ‘bribery exists’ in public tenders and permit/licensing processes is 60%…
One in every three people living in this country answers ‘yes’ to the question, “In the past year, did you, or someone in your circle have to pay a bribe?”
So, who are the ones involved in ‘corruption’?
The answer: government officials and those they appoint… 59% of survey participants believe so…
Who receives bribes the least? 44% of the public say ‘police and prosecutors’.
So, who does the public trust the most?
Social media… And traditional media…
Who is meant by, “I don’t trust at all”? 52% of respondents say: The government…
And the Parliament… 47% of the public does not trust the Parliament…
Now let’s talk about ‘money laundering’…
55% of the public believes, “These activities are frequently encountered.”
So, can the government prevent this?
Here’s the answer: “I don’t think the government is successful in this regard at all…”
The percentage of those who say this is 55%…
So, are we punishing those involved in corruption?
39% of participants say “they are never punished.”
The conclusion is this: Corruption exists in the TRNC and is on the rise. Yet, more importantly, there has been a “notable increase” in tolerance toward favoritism over the past three years.
In other words, we are turning into a ‘mass’ that has developed ‘tolerance’ toward corruption and bribery…
We’ve gotten used to it… We’ve been conditioned to it… We’ve grown accustomed to it…
Two distinguished scholars, Ömer Gökçekuş and Sertaç Sonan, have been conducting a rigorous, internationally standardized study for the past nine years.
They gather scientific data by conducting surveys primarily with members of major organizations representing the public, businesspeople, and expert staff.
The data above is taken from the report, “Corruption Perceptions in North Cyprus: 2025” published by these two academics.
Thanks to this report, we learn about the ‘corruption perception’ measured in Northern Cyprus and ‘where we stand in the world’.
Of course, when it comes to ‘corruption’, there is a ‘primary reference point’ respected by the entire world. The ‘Transparency International’ organization, commonly known as “TI”…
This Berlin-based civil society organization, which operates in over 100 countries, is an institution that both the EU and the UN consult, utilize, seek advice from, and support…
This organization publishes an annual ‘Corruption Perceptions Index’…
In exactly 182 countries, the ‘level’ of ‘perceived corruption’ is meticulously determined through numerous parameters…
Of course, we are not on this list…
Since there is no state called ‘TRNC’ in the world, we are not included in the Corruption Perceptions Index either.
For the past nine years, Ömer Gökçekuş and Sertaç Sonan have been determining our position among the world’s countries using the accepted ‘standards’ and methodology of this organization (Transparency International)…
In this list of 182 countries, the TRNC boasts an ‘achievement’ equivalent to the 150th rank in ‘corruption’…
In other words; we’re at the very bottom of the world in terms of “corruption”…
We’re in the same league as countries like Bangladesh, Congo, and Uganda…
The Republic of Cyprus is ranked 49th, while Turkey is in 124th place…
So, who created this ‘shameful’ picture?
According to the public: the UBP and its junior coalition partners, the DP and YDP…
If only those governing this country had the ‘capacity’ to consider utilizing such a scientific study…
Because measuring this perception could help develop ‘anti-corruption’ programs.
Progress, or regression in this area can be tracked annually.
Regarding the ‘perception’ of corruption, the ‘pulse’ of the business community—in particular—can be monitored.
Most importantly, progress can be made in terms of ‘social awareness’…
So, is the TRNC ready for this? Is there a ‘political will’ for this?
Quite the opposite is true in this country…
The country’s Prime Minister is accused of ‘taking bribes’. Videos on this matter are being released. The Prime Minister doesn’t even feel the need to ‘clear his name’ regarding this issue brought before Parliament; he doesn’t take the allegations seriously…
The Speaker of Parliament’s name is appearing in ‘corruption’ cases at the court.
Allegations of ‘fraudulent enrollment’, involving Education Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu and his son, have come to light…
Scandals involving ‘fake diplomas’ and ‘fake prescriptions’ are being exposed. Doctors and pharmacists are facing a ‘reputation assassination’, yet society has not yet learned the truth in a ‘satisfactory’ way.
The Prime Minister’s four-year-long undersecretary—his right-hand man—is accused of accepting bribes, offering bribes, and giving bribes, and has been arrested…
Central Tender Commission Chairman Salih Canseç has been arrested on charges of bribery and abuse of office…
Halis Üresin, Chairman of the Housing Committee, is accused of ‘abuse of office’…
All these individuals worked right alongside Ünal Üstel as part of his ‘team’…
In short; 2025 was actually the year when the TRNC hit its ‘peak’ in terms of corruption…
So much so that ‘corruption’ and moral decay have clung to us not merely as a ‘perception’, but as a tangible disgrace…
We have become one of the ‘dirtiest’ 32 countries in the world…
This is the state of the TRNC brought about by these three parties…
Be proud of your work…
This article as originally published on 07.04.2026
Source: GO AND CELEBRATE: WE’VE BECOME ONE OF THE WORLD’S 32 “MOST CORRUPT” AND “DIRTIEST” COUNTRIES…
