From where to where?
Transparency International, the global coalition against corruption, dropped Turkey 11 places in its recently published “Corruption Perceptions Index 2014.”
Before going into analysis, let us read the 61st government program of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the winner of the 2011 elections: “Turkey, in the Corruption Perceptions Index issued by Transparency International, was in 77th place among 133 countries with 3.1 points in 2003. It has moved up to the 56th place among 178 countries with 4.4 points in 2010. Our efforts in this upward direction will continue uninterruptedly with determination and within a comprehensive strategy.”
This was very nice. In fact, this was a success by international standards, but where is our place as we come to 2014?
The same Transparency International’s 2014 report said Turkey had dropped 11 places, from 53rd in 2013 to 64th in 2014.
The perception of corruption in Turkey has increased dramatically. Could it be that this new placement is a “conspiracy” of the Zionists, the interest rate lobby or the parallel structure?
But was it not only yesterday that Transparency International was referred to as a respectable international institution?
We are not living on Mars or inside a bell jar in Turkey, are we? What has been going on over the past year is occurring in front of our eyes.
Professor Hayrettin Karaman, who has been supporting the AKP governments from the beginning with religious sentiment, recently felt the need to call on “virtuous people" in the party for a campaing of “moral capability and merit.” And why did Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Çiçek call for a “transparency mobilization?” And why does Prime Minister Professor Ahmet Davutoğlu feel the need to make speeches touching on “nepotism and meritocracy?”
Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek said on Feb. 26, 2014 that Turkey’s 53rd place in the 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index “did not suit our country.”
But, as luck would have it, we have fallen 11 places in one year. What has happened?
There are the Dec. 17 and 25 of 2013 operations to consider, as well as the known response of the government. Well, if there was an attempted coup, then there also should have been appropriate investigations carried out, according to the criteria of the European Court of Human Rights. But there are also the corruption claims in those operations...
As a matter of fact, in the EU Progress Report of 2014, corruption in Turkey is referred numerous times. I am only quoting one sentence from the report: “The government’s response to allegations of corruption ... raised serious concerns over the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law … and on their ability to conduct the investigations in a non-discriminatory, transparent and impartial manner.”
The report by Transparency International is the numerical representation of this.
This country belongs to all of us. Let us break free of political partisanship and feelings of animosity. Especially those holding the immense power of the legislative and executive should think about this. We are living in a global era where nothing goes unnoticed.
The Public Procurement Law has been changed 30 times. In six months, two justice packages have been issued containing about 100 articles.
Davutoğlu should know very well in his academic capacity that confidence in institutions will be totally shaken by this practice. The “perception” about Turkey in the world will turn negative. In time, the economy will also be harmed due to this.
Every member of the government with a conscience should ask themselves, “Where have we come from, and where are we going?” This has become a national responsibility.
