Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - 57.41
78
The smaller, freer, fairer, faker version of Turkiye
Northern Cyprus is a bizarre nation. TRNC is a Turkish client state. It is fully under the influence of Turkiye, to the point that Turkiye regularly interferes in Northern Cypriot elections. TRNC lacks a seat in the United Nations as the Republic of Cyprus’ claim to the entirety of the territory under the de facto control of TRNC is recognized by every UN Member State except for Turkiye. Corruption is endemic in TRNC to the point that it has influenced Northern Cypriot democracy as Turkish officials have bribed Northern Cypriot officials into rigging elections in their favor. Despite its lack of recognition, however, TRNC does not have a struggling economy. While a number of facts and figures are hard to come by, poverty in Northern Cyprus is low and the last statistic about economic growth provided a strong projection. TRNC is doubtless a flawed nation with an uncertain future, but it has provided a refuge for an otherwise oppressed minority in Turkish Cypriots. While Northern Cyprus could certainly serve to escape the oppressive influence of Turkiye, it has managed a quasi-competetent government in the interim.
Human Rights - 62
Despite never carrying out an execution, Northern Cyprus maintains the death penalty under special circumstances. The death penalty is permitted for treason, terrorism, and war crimes. Police brutality is a major issue in TRNC. The attorney general received several complaints throughout 2020 about guard-inmate abuse in prisons, all of which were investigated. The only prison in TRNC is at 200% capacity and prisoners lack adequate access to sanitation and medical facilities, as well as a central heating system. COVID caused major backups in the court system, exacerbating issues with prison overcrowding and resulting in detainees waiting in pretrial detention for over a year. The TRNC, in collusion with Turkiye, classed Fethullah Gülen as a terrorist and has been deporting Gülen supporters to Turkiye to be tried in biased Turkish courts. The government has been accused of illegally surveilling Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in TRNC. “Criticizing the government,” “criticizing the government’s allies,” and “insulting the government” are all illegal. The government has occasionally used this law to silence government critics but generally tolerates most forms of criticism. These laws result in some self-censorship from Northern Cypriot journalists. The government blacklisted several videos from Youtube and Facebook in 2019 and 2020. Homosexuality is legal but TRNC offers no other rights or protections. Abortion is legal to ten weeks.
Democracy - 63
Northern Cyprus is completely under the influence of Turkiye, which regularly interferes with Northern Cypriot elections. The president is directly elected but this election is subject to Turkish interference. In the last election cycle, incumbent President Mustafa Ikinci criticized Turkiye on several occasions. Turkish Intelligence Officers were spotted at polling places throughout TRNC. Police and Turkish Intelligence intimidated voters at polling places throughout the country. Additionally, the Turkish embassy promised mayors and governors financial support if they rigged elections in favor of the pro-Turkiye opposition. Parliamentary elections are free and fair. Electoral laws are generally free and fair, but it is easy for Turkish citizens to gain the right to vote and very difficult for Greek Cypriots to gain the right to vote. TRNC has a very strong multi-party system. TRNC has a strong multi-party system. Turkiye exerts significant sway over all aspects of Northern Cypriot politics. Greek Cypriots and the LGBT are disenfranchised.
Freedom - 69
In collusion with Turkiye, TRNC classed popular activist and leader of the Gülen movement Fethullah Gülen as a terrorist. TRNC has been arresting and deporting Gülen supporters to be tried in biased Turkish courts. “Criticizing the government,” “criticizing the government’s allies,” and “insulting the government” are all illegal. The government has occasionally used this law to silence government critics but generally tolerates most forms of criticism. These laws result in some self-censorship from Northern Cypriot journalists. The government blacklisted several Youtube and Facebook videos in 2019 and 2020. Northern Cyprus’ libel and blasphemy laws are under constitutional review. The supreme court has suspended all charges under libel and blasphemy while they review the constitutionality of these laws. Christians and Shia face some harassment that is tolerated by the government. Cannabis is legal for medicinal purposes and laws regarding its recreational use go generally unenforced. All other drugs are illegal. Guns are strictly regulated in TRNC. Ammunition larger than .22LR is not allowed and magazine capacity is strictly regulated. No semi-automatic weapons or handguns of any kind are allowed.
Economy - 73
Health - 78
Life expectancy in TRNC is 78 years and the infant mortality rate is ~0.8%. 13.7% of Northern Cypriots are obese and roughly 8% are malnourished. TRNC has a strong universal healthcare system, providing free healthcare to all Northern Cypriot and Turkish citizens. Over 95% of the population has access to clean, running water but TRNC is in the midst of a major water crisis and water is rationed in certain areas.
Corruption - 16
The Turkish government regularly buys loyalty in TRNC and bribed local governments into rigging the latest presidential election in their favor. Turkish companies exert significant sway over politics. Police extortion is common in TRNC. The current administration is embroiled in a number of corruption scandals but most cases were prosecuted. TRNC received a ten-point penalty for corruption interfering with the democratic process.
Competency - 19
The government is failing to shake the corruption and foreign influence that plague it and retard its development. TRNC is almost completely within Turkiye’s sphere of influence and does very little without Turkiye’s express approval. Both contributing to and stemming from this problem is the fact that TRNC is only recognized by Turkiye. Northern Cyprus recieved a ten-point penalty for its unrecognized status.
Future - 40
Northern Cyprus’ future is uncertain. As Turkiye remains in a political deadlock with the West, especially Greece, TRNC shows no signs of gaining further UN recognition. Turkiye’s unabashedly selfish foreign policy position of attempting to balance NATO and Russia means that neither side is likely to recognize TRNC in the near future. On the bright side, however, recent data suggest that the Northern Cypriot economy is growing quickly.
Actions Abroad - 30
The entire area of Northern Cyprus is claimed by the Republic of Cyprus. The entire area of TRNC is under their de facto control but is only recognized as such by Turkiye. Neither party in this debate is particularly cooperative and border crossings were only opened recently. TRNC is a satellite state of Turkiye.
Poverty rate statistics for TRNC are hard to come by but the national poverty rate is estimated to be around 25%. The international poverty rate is believed to be negligible. 5% of Northern Cypriots are unemployed. TRNC has a high economic disparity. The minimum wage in Northern Cyprus is $1.91 per hour. TRNC has a strong universal healthcare system, covering all Northern Cypriot and Turkish citizens. The GDP of TRNC grew 5% in 2018 and no newer statistics are available.