16. MAIN RESEARCH QUESTION – The objective of our research is to compare the ways in which Belgium and the UK have used very intrusive measures in order to prevent terrorism and ascertain how best to do so. The most intrusive measures a state can employ are those which have a direct impact on the right to liberty of people, so that is where the focus of this book lies. Therefore, the starting point of the analysis is the right to liberty (Part I). Next, the Belgian legal framework is examined, as Belgium is the main jurisdiction in question (Part II). Then, the same is done for the UK (Part III). The UK has been faced with a similar problem as Belgium but chose to react to it differently. Therefore, the UK approach might provide valuable insights in how the Belgian system could be improved. In order to achieve these insights, a detailed comparison between the two jurisdictions is undertaken in Part IV, aft er which general conclusions on the prevention of terrorism through direct restrictions to the right to liberty are drawn and recommendations are made on how to improve the Belgian legislation. In short, our research sought an answer to the following question:

Is the Belgian or the UK approach to prevention of terrorism through direct restrictions to the right to liberty preferable in light of this right; and how could the Belgian approach be improved?