The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk has called for dialogue and respect for all religions as member states met in Geneva in response to the recent desecration of the Holy Quran in the Swedish capital.

The 47-member body is debating a motion, brought by Pakistan in response to last month's incident, calls on states to review their laws that may impede prosecution of culprits of religious hatred.

In his remarks, Volker Turk said said all societies need to become magnets of respect, dialogue and cooperation among different peoples, as has been achieved by multiple civilizations in the past.