Raul Castro became Cuba's leader early last year

Cuba is continuing to violate human rights and is using draconian laws to repress its citizens, according to a new Human Rights Watch report.

The communist country's shift from Fidel Castro's leadership to president Raul Castro has not changed conditions according to the report.

The group said that since taking office, Raul Castro had kept abusive laws firmly in place.

It is the first far-ranging report since Raul Castro took over.

The report says political and religious activists live in constant fear, and that persistent aggression is placed against dissidents.

Raul Castro has relied in particular on a Cuban law that lets the state imprison people even before they commit a crime, Human Rights Watch said.

"Despite significant obstacles to research, Human Rights Watch documented more than 40 cases in which Cuba has imprisoned individuals for 'dangerousness' under Raul Castro because they tried to exercise their fundamental rights," the report said.

"Rather than dismantle the repressive machinery, Raul Castro has kept it firmly in place and fully active."

The report was secretly researched on unauthorised visits to the Caribbean island and by getting data from interviews with roughly 60 people.

The assessment comes at a crucial moment, as US President Barack Obama wants to re-set ties with Cuba.

The US Congress is also considering lifting a ban on travel to the communist-run island.