Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. military detention centre on the Cuban island, was opened in the aftermath of the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. The facility was established to hold individuals suspected of involvement in the September 11 attacks and related terrorism activities.
Twenty‑five years after the initial conflict that led to its creation, the war in Afghanistan has officially ended. Despite the conclusion of that campaign, the Guantanamo prison remains operational.
Located on a 45‑acre U.S. naval base, the detention centre has been a subject of international debate and scrutiny over its legal status and treatment of inmates. The United States has maintained that the facility is necessary for national security purposes.
While the war that prompted its establishment has ceased, the decision to keep Guantanamo open reflects ongoing policy choices by the U.S. government. The facility continues to house a small number of detainees, many of whom have been held for years without trial.
The persistence of the prison has drawn criticism from human rights organisations and some governments, who argue that it undermines international law and the rule of law. However, the U.S. has defended its continued use as a strategic asset in counter‑terrorism operations.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
