International watchdog Amnesty International says there needs to be full transparency by the Jamaican Government on allegations of human-rights violations by the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the reasons for the sudden departure of Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington.

According to Amnesty, the refusal of National Security Minister Peter Bunting to answer questions on the matter is a threat to Jamaica's international obligations on justice, truth, and reparation for human rights violations.

"This sends the wrong signal on ending impunity in Jamaica," Amnesty said in a statement yesterday.

Responding to questions in Parliament recently, Bunting disclosed that some of Jamaica's international partners have withdrawn support to certain units within the Jamaica Constabulary Force, citing concerns about extrajudicial killings by members of the security forces and the May 2010 police-military operation in west Kingston which left more than 70 persons dead.

However, Bunting did not go into details, saying certain discussions with international partners cannot be disclosed.

He also deflected certain questions about the sudden retirement of Ellington, citing the reasons tendered by the outgoing commissioner.

However, Amnesty International says it is concerned about the lack of transparency in the entire affair.