A/HRC/11/37 make remittances to their families, thereby helping to greatly improve their families’ living conditions and, at the same time, support their countries’ economies. In 2008, workers’ remittances totalled $22 billion. 459. At the cultural and educational levels, universities and academic research institutions and chairs had been established in a number of fields, including human rights, the situation of women, extremist ideological rehabilitation and other fields related to human rights. 460. The promotion of human rights had to take into account social and cultural circumstances, which necessitated a gradual approach for the creation of an environment conducive to the further consolidation of human rights values and culture, in a manner consistent with the natural process of change and development, particularly in regard to change relating to social norms and customs. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 461. Pakistan indicated that Saudi Arabia had enumerated a number of legislative, institutional and organizational reforms, in particular the intention to promulgate a bill of law to criminalize all forms of human trafficking, the codification of sharia law, steps taken to empower women, the establishment of the new directorate for the welfare of expatriate workers and for new supreme and constitutional courts. Pakistan mentioned that Saudi Arabia’s investments in the developing world and generous contributions to various United Nations projects were examples of its commitment to promote human rights. Pakistan appreciated Saudi Arabia’s efforts in promoting dialogue among followers of different religions. 462. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) believed that the information provided in the Saudi replies was very useful to the universal periodic review, in particular regarding the family and community medical system, which provided the highest possible health service to its population. It recognized Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote and protect human rights, especially the measures taken to change the normative and institutional framework of the country. 463. Qatar valued Saudi Arabia’s open approach in dealing with the recommendations made by the delegations. Qatar commended Saudi Arabia in particular for the progress relating to the strengthening of human rights infrastructure in the legislative and institutional fields, and for the measures taken to reform the judicial system and the achievements in economic, social and cultural rights, such as the rights to education, health, work and housing. Qatar welcomed Saudi Arabia’s cooperation with international human rights institutions, in particular the Council. 464. Algeria welcomed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote all human rights and its attachment to a culture of human rights. It congratulated Saudi Arabia on its re-election to the Council. Algeria commended it for its efforts to promote the rights of children and women, in particular the creation of mechanisms to prevent domestic violence, and the adoption of legislation on children. Algeria also commended Saudi Arabia for accepting the recommendations to further its efforts to fight terrorism and protect human rights at the same time, pursue its policies aiming at the promotion of dialogue among religions and civilizations, and continue its efforts to create a positive environment for all foreign workers. 465. Cuba welcomed the fact that Saudi Arabia had accepted the majority of the recommendations. Measures taken to implement them showed the will of Saudi Arabia to promote and protect the human rights of its people. Cuba recognized the measures taken in the fields of education, health, housing, work, security and social assistance, which benefited the neediest people. Cuba recognized the generous contributions made by Saudi 128 GE.09-16766