Fact Check: Turkey Ranked Worst in Europe for Impunity in 2025 Atlas of Impunity
What We Know
Turkey has been identified as the worst performer in Europe regarding impunity, according to the 2025 Atlas of Impunity, a global index published by the Eurasia Group. This index evaluates countries based on five dimensions: unaccountable governance, human rights abuses, economic exploitation, conflict and violence, and environmental degradation. In this ranking, Turkey placed 35th globally, indicating a deteriorating record in democratic governance and the rule of law. The report emphasizes that Turkey's position is attributed to significant democratic backsliding and weakened checks on power, which have intensified concerns about the country's democratic decline. The report states, “Turkey is the region’s worst performer by far and stands apart from the rest of Europe” (source-4).
Turkey's governance score of 3.02 is the lowest in Europe, reflecting the dismantling of institutional checks and balances, suppression of opposition voices, and systematic restrictions on press freedom. Furthermore, Turkey ranks 27th globally in terms of human rights, with ongoing reports of arbitrary arrests and crackdowns on independent media (source-4).
Analysis
The claim that Turkey is ranked the worst in Europe for impunity is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including the Eurasia Group and various news outlets (source-2, source-4). The report's methodology appears robust, as it assesses multiple dimensions of governance and accountability, providing a comprehensive view of the factors contributing to Turkey's ranking.
The reliability of the sources is high, given that the Eurasia Group is a well-respected political risk consultancy known for its analytical rigor. The report's conclusions are consistent with other assessments of Turkey's political climate, including its declining scores in the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index, where Turkey was ranked 117th out of 142 countries (source-4).
However, it is essential to note that while the report provides a thorough analysis of Turkey's governance issues, it may also reflect a particular perspective on the political situation in Turkey. Critics of the report may argue that it does not account for the complexities of Turkey's geopolitical situation or the challenges faced by its government.
Conclusion
The claim that Turkey is ranked the worst in Europe for impunity in the 2025 Atlas of Impunity is True. The evidence from credible sources clearly supports this assertion, highlighting Turkey's significant challenges in governance, human rights, and democratic integrity. The consistent findings across multiple reports reinforce the validity of this claim.
