This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from the European Commission. The Anti-Corruption Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International and funded by the European Union.
Query
Please provide an up-to-date analysis of the legal and institutional anti-corruption framework and its practical implementation against latest developments in the country.
Content
1. Background
2. Overview of corruption in Turkey
3. Anti-corruption strategies and measures
4. References
Summary
Triggered by the country’s accession to full EU membership candidacy status in 1999, Turkey has made progress in terms of democratisation and economic liberalisation. However, the situation of human rights and political freedoms remains an issue of great concern.
Moreover, the country faces high levels of corruption. Accordingly, the government has taken steps to reduce corruption in the country, including the adoption of an anti-corruption action plan in 2010 and a series of commitments in June 2012 to cover incrimination and presidential candidate funding.
However, despite this limited progress, the country continues to be confronted with challenges of rampant corruption and existing anti-corruption measures are still in question. One of main criticisms is the lack of a coordinated and strategic approach to anti-corruption. There is also an absence of transparency and accountability in the political system, as embodied in the immunity regulations for high-ranking officials.
Moreover, civil society has a limited role to play in policy-making and there is no mechanism enabling citizens to monitor government commitments. The need for greater civic participation in public life was reflected in the 2013 Gezi Park protests.
Authors
Samira Lindner, Transparency International, [email protected]
With contributions by Oya Özarslan and Pelin Erdoğan, Transparency International Turkey.
Reviewers
Marie Chêne, Transparency International; Finn Heinrich, Transparency International
Date
27/02/2014
