crime and accidents that cost or endangered lives and impaired the environment and national economies. Developing countries were being used as the dumping ground for toxic wastes, which was unacceptable. The establishment of an international criminal court or regional courts to deal, inter alia, with such offences should be considered. Preventive measures were needed in that sphere, as in others, before the damage was done. 17. Reparation to victims of crime and abuse of power was deemed to be not only of material but also of great social importance. In various countries, especially developed ones, provision for compensation of crime victims existed, though the specifics varied. The European Convention on Compensation to Victims of Violent Crimes provided guidelines in that regard, including cross-jurisdictional compensation. Other European conventions were also in force, such as the one on civil and commercial matters, which had provision for the enforcement of foreign judgements in compensation cases. The right of those victimized outside their countries, including tourists, to compensation was furthered by inter-State co-operation in such matters. 18. There were both economic and technical aspects involved in connection with the indemnification of victims. Developing countries, suffering from serious financial constraints, felt that they were not in a position to provide victim compensation, other than restitution from offenders, which was not always feasible. However, it was acknowledged that steps had to be taken because of the need and suffering involved, and as a matter of simple justice. There were also technical aspects that had to be considered, including the avenues, both penal and civil, for obtaining compensation. The latter could mean a protracted litigation process that did not always see justice done. Some countries had adopted new laws in the matter, affording citizens the right to sue for alleged violations of basic rights, and otherwise sought to implement the Declaration on Basic Principles. Developing 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of establishing international criminal courts to deal with crimes that harm individuals and the environment, as well as the need for reparations to victims of crime and abuse of power. It also touches on the difficulties faced by developing countries in providing compensation to victims, including financial constraints and the need for technical solutions. Given the focus on international criminal justice, victim compensation, and the role of governments, I hypothesize that the text is most closely related to the fields of international law and human rights.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International trade