A human rights group is asking President-elect Barack Obama for an immediate end to the ban on most American travel to Cuba.

The nonpartisan Freedom House made the recommendation while also criticizing Cuba's human rights record. It says said President Raul Castro has made only "nominal reforms" since succeeding his brother Fidel.

During his campaign, Obama proposed easing restrictions on family-related travel and called for loosening economic sanctions against Cuba, if Havana "begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change."

Current U.S. sanctions limit trade with Cuba to cash-only sale of U.S. farm products and medical supplies. Freedom House asked Obama to re-examine the embargo.