A/HRC/31/18/Add.1 C. Legal provisions against religious extremism and sedition 12. The Penal Code contains a number of provisions prohibiting calls to strife and sedition on religious grounds (arts. 295, 308, 310, 313, 317 and 318), and provides for penalties. Blasphemy (art. 473), contempt of religious rites (art. 474), disruption of religious ceremonies and demolition of places of worship ( art. 475) and contraventions by men of religion in conversions from one religion or denomination to another one (art. 476) also expose violators to prison sentences or fines. Few cases have been filed for blasphemy in recent years, although some cases have been dismissed. The press law has similar provisions (art. 25). 13. Most of these provisions are not in line with human rights norms and standards relating to freedom of expression, nor with the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, to which Lebanon is bound as a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. A new general comment by the Human Rights Committee on article 19 of the Covenant (CCPR/C/GC/34) and the Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence , adopted by experts in Rabat on 5 October 2012, may provide useful guidance for legislators and authorities. D. Judiciary 14. The judiciary is a civil law system and divided into four main court systems – judicial, administrative, military and religious each of which has a hierarchical structure. However, the 18 religious communities officia lly recognized in Lebanon continue to be able to apply their own laws and maintain their own judicial systems to deal with matters relating to personal status, marriage, divorce and other family issues. 15. The judicial court system is composed of civil and criminal courts of general jurisdiction at first instances, courts of appeal and the Court of Cassation (highest court). The administrative court system is composed of administrative tribunals and the State Consultative Council (Majlis Shura al-Dawla), which can also function as an appellate or cassation court. The jurisdiction of administrative courts is limited to matters involving or arising from administrative decisions made by the State or any of its agencies and institutions. There are also specialized tribunals, such as the Judicial Council, which deals with cases of sensitive criminal offences of a political nature, and the Constitutional Council, which examines the constitutionality of legislation but is not empowered to receive or adjudicate on individual petitions. 16. The religious court system pertains to the main religions of Christianity and Islam. The jurisdiction of the courts is limited to personal status and family law matters as authorized by law. Not all of the 18 recognized denominations have courts; some resort to out-of-court settlements facilitated by religious figures. The jurisdiction of Maronite courts extends beyond the borders of Lebanon and some cases for Catholics may reach the Tribunal of the Roman Rota of the Vatican. E. Incorporation and status of international law in domestic law 17. Lebanon is recognized as having a comprehensive legal framework. It has ratified or acceded to the main international human rights treaties, including the 6