The fake diploma crisis shaking Turkey started there: AKP and MHP rejected the 2022 parliamentary motion

Turkey is reeling from a fake diploma scandal. A gang, which the Minister of Interior stated has been dismantled, revealed the scale of the scandal by copying e-signatures to officially register fake diplomas into state systems like e-Devlet.

However, it remains unclear which institutions employ individuals with fake diplomas, which doctors are working in which hospitals, and which engineers have signed off on which projects.

WHY WAS THE MOTION SUBMITTED BY CHP DEPUTIES IN 2022 IGNORED?

At the root of the fake diploma scandal lies the rejection of a research motion submitted by several CHP deputies in 2022. The motion, submitted to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) on December 1, 2022, by CHP Hatay Deputy Mehmet Güzelmansur and other CHP deputies, could have been an important step in preventing fake diplomas from infiltrating the public sector. However, the motion was rejected by the votes of the AKP and MHP.

The motion stated, "The ability of individuals with fake diplomas to enter TÜBİTAK, universities, and important public institutions increases the theft of labor and emboldens fraudsters." It also drew attention to the fact that fake diploma sales are openly conducted via social media and websites, and that authorities have remained insufficient in the face of this.

LEFT UNANSWERED BY PARLIAMENT

It was emphasized that fake diploma fraud has become so widespread and overt among the public. The motion, which stated, "Diploma price lists are being published on social media, advertisements are being organized, and these sites are continuing their illegal activities comfortably," was rejected by the AKP and MHP. As a result, it was stated that fake diploma sales spread rapidly and that, due to insufficient penalties, fraudsters became even more emboldened.