Amnesty International says human rights violations persist in Zimbabwe, despite the formation of a unity government in February.
Amnesty's secretary-general, Irene Khan, told reporters in Harare
Thursday that the level of political violence Zimbabwe is
"significantly less" than last year.
But, she said, the human rights situation remains "precarious and the socio-economic conditions are desperate."
She said this year alone more than 2,000 farm worker families have been
forced from their homes, and that conditions in prisons remain
deplorable.
She also said the new government has failed to reform police and security forces or address widespread impunity.
Khan's visit to Zimbabwe was the first by an Amnesty International secretary general.
Amnesty and other rights groups leveled strong criticism against
Zimbabwe's government last year before, during and after national
elections.
Activists said the ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe waged a
campaign of killings, beatings, and intimidation against the main
opposition MDC party.
The MDC and ZANU-PF are now partners in the unity government, following several months of difficult negotiations.
The government is trying to revive Zimbabwe's economy, mired in a deep
crisis after years of falling food production and hyperinflation.