The Department of Justice in the United States has been ordered by the courts to release information on more than 100 Guantánamo Bay prisoners. The material withheld by the department includes information regarding allegations and incriminating evidence.

Media organisations, such as The New York Times, have protested against the withholding of information. They insist that the American people have a right to be kept abreast of new developments regarding Guantánamo Bay. Also, due to the secrecy, lawyers working for Guantánamo suspects claim they cannot properly defend their clients.

Approximately 200 terrorism suspects are being kept in detention in Guantánamo Bay. President Barack Obama plans to have some 20 prisoners tried by a special military tribunal, and dozens in civilian courts. According to the president, the remaining prisoners should be released from Guantánamo as soon as there is certainty about where they can be held.