What is the Article 31 of the United Nations Convention?

Asked by: Elian Green  |  Last update: January 28, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (31 votes)

Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) guarantees every child the right to rest, leisure, play, age-appropriate recreation, and free participation in cultural life and the arts, emphasizing that play and cultural engagement are crucial for development, health, and well-being, and obligating governments to promote these opportunities.

What is Article 31 of the UN Convention?

Article 31

States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

What is the purpose of article 31?

Generally speaking though, it is aimed at preventing superior officers or superior enlisted soldiers from asking a question of a subordinate, and that subordinate answering them feeling like they are obligated to answer because of their military service.

Is Article 31 still relevant today?

This protection is vital to maintaining a fair and just system within the Armed Forces. It allows service members to avoid self-incrimination and ensures their right to remain silent. It also secures their right to consult legal counsel before making any statements that could potentially be used against them.

What is the Article 31 principle?

Article 31 principle – immunity from penalty

The Refugee Convention (a piece of international law that the UK signed) says that asylum seekers should not be punished if they have a good reason for using false passports.

This Is Me : Article 31 and a Child's Right to Play

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What is the Article 31 General Rule of Interpretation?

Article 31 General rule of interpretation

A treaty shall be interpreted in good faith in accordance with the ordinary meaning to be given to the terms of the treaty in their context and in the light of its object and purpose.

Do asylum seekers have to apply in the first country?

There is nothing in international law to say that refugees must claim asylum in the first country they reach.

Who can read article 31 rights?

The bottom line is that that if members of your command are subject to the Uniform Code of Military justice and are asking questions that could lead to an incriminating response, they are required to read the service member his or her Article 31(b) rights.

Which countries have not signed the 1951 refugee convention?

Important non-signatory States in South and Southeast Asia include India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia. In other regions of the world, non-signatory States include Eritrea, Libya, Mongolia and Cuba.

Can you plead the 5th in the military?

The answer to that is absolutely. Military members are guaranteed that right under the Fifth Amendment, but are also subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Do military police have to read you your rights?

Article 31(b) applies to servicemembers. Military Law Enforcement (and other UCMJ actors) must tell you what offense they suspect, your right to remain silent, and that statements can be used against you.

Does article 31 apply to everyone?

It's important to note that the requirements of Article 31, UCMJ, only apply to those “subject to the code” (referring to the Uniform Code of Military Justice). ” This includes active duty service members as well as any “knowing agent of any such person or of a military unit.”

What are the criticisms of the UNCRC?

Common criticisms of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) are discussed: the CRC is about liberty rights and not about protecting children, the CRC gives children dangerous freedoms and undermines respect for adults and parents, ideas about their rights may encourage children to be selfish and ...

Can a nation be expelled from the UN?

A Member of the United Nations which has persistently violated the Principles contained in the present Charter may be expelled from the Organization by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

What is the best interest of the child principle?

Thus the best interest principle is a child-centred approach aimed at protecting the needs and entitlements of children. The unique circumstances of a particular child will then determine the different factors to consider in order to secure the best interest of that child.

How much sleep does a child need?

preschool (3–5 years): 10–13 hours, including naps. school-age (6–13 years): 9–12 hours. teens (14–17 years): 8–10 hours.

Has the United States ever violated the Genève Convention?

The United States Armed Forces and its members have violated the law of war after the signing of the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 and the signing of the Geneva Conventions.

Is the USA part of the 1951 Refugee Convention?

Since the US ratified the Protocol in 1968, it undertook a majority of the obligations spelled out in the original 1951 document (Articles 2-34), and Article 1 as amended in the Protocol, as "supreme Law of the Land".

Which countries do not allow refugees?

Gallup's updated Migrant Acceptance Index ranks North Macedonia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro – southeast European countries that along with Greece and Italy faced the initial waves of refugees – as the least-accepting countries for migrants.

Is the navy allowed to wear uniforms in public?

The NWU Type III is authorized for wear at all locations, commuting and all normal task associated stops (e.g. stops at child care, gas stations, off-base shopping, banking, DMV and dining) before, during and following the end of the workday. NWUs are not a liberty uniform.

What is a cleansing warning?

United States v. Lewis, 78 M.J. 447 (a cleansing statement advises a suspect that the contents of previous unwarned statements may not be used against him).

Do military members have the right to remain silent?

Provided by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 31, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the right to remain silent allows a service member to refuse to answer any question that might tend to incriminate them.

Which country is the easiest to get asylum?

  • 7 Industrialized Countries to Safely Seek Asylum. When you need asylum, you need to get somewhere safe as quickly as possible. ...
  • Netherlands. Not only is this country widely regarded as one of the best in the world to call home, it is also very welcoming to asylum-seekers. ...
  • Ireland. ...
  • Norway. ...
  • Sweden. ...
  • Austria. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • United States.

What will happen to asylum seekers in 2025?

On December 2, 2025, the Trump administration placed a hold on all asylum applications filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and is pausing applications for permanent residence (green card) and other immigration applications filed by individuals from 19 'Travel Ban' countries.

Do immigrants get free housing in the UK?

But do people seeking asylum get this free housing forever? No. When someone gets refugee status, they can no longer stay in asylum accommodation. They can choose where to live, but they have to pay for their rent or ask for government help – like any UK citizen.