Yevgeny Zhovtis is among Central Asia's most prominent human rights advocates. On November 9, 1999, a fire destroyed the human rights bureau's offices in Almaty. [For background see "A Fire With Human Rights Implications."] Investigators have confirmed that the blaze was an act of arson. However, no suspects have thus far been detained in connection with the fire. During a visit to New York in mid February, Mr. Zhovtis spoke with the Central Eurasia Project about civil society development in Central Asia

CEP: How would you describe current conditions concerning human rights observance in Kazakhstan?

Zhovtis: It is clear that the situation is deteriorating.