The release of the Guantanamo Bay files by WikiLeaks marked a significant moment in the ongoing discourse around the U.S. detention facility, a controversial site established after the September 11 attacks for the detention of terrorism suspects. The files, numbering more than 700, contained detailed assessments of the detainees held at the facility, including accusations, alleged connections to terrorism, and recommendations for their release or further detention. Notably, the documents also chronicled the methods used by the U.S. military to gather intelligence, highlighting the often-questionable justifications for prolonged detention without trial.

The publication was part of a larger effort by WikiLeaks, an organization founded by Julian Assange, to expose government secrets and promote transparency in terms of civil liberties and human rights. The timing of the release fuelled international debate and concern over the ethical implications of the U.S. military's counterterrorism measures and the secretive nature of government actions against terrorism. The information devoured by journalists and human rights advocates prompted ongoing discussions regarding the effectiveness of such detention as a counterterrorism strategy, leading to calls for systematic reforms.

The Guantanamo files exposed details about detainees' backgrounds and alleged affiliations with various terrorist organizations and provided evidence of the flawed intelligence often used to justify their detention. Significant attention was brought to individual cases, sometimes revealing previously unknown information regarding their treatment while incarcerated. The files not only offered insight into the operations at Guantanamo Bay but also painted a broader picture of the U.S. government's counterterrorism policies in the post-9/11 era, igniting a worldwide conversation about the need for accountability and reform in the handling of detainee rights.