Ariticle31Rest, play, culture, arts
- 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.
- States Parties shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.
Paragraph 1
It is absolutely necessary for the child's own healthy and fruitful growth and development to have “rest and leisure” and at the same time, the child has the right to “play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child” and “cultural life” and to “freely participate in the arts.” So what exactly do these words mean?
Rest and leisure
The International Labor Organization (ILO) Night Work of Young Persons (Industry) Convention (Revised) (commonly known as ILO Convention No. 90) stipulates that “children shall be protected from night work” and that “there shall always be ‘at least 13 consecutive hours of rest’ with regard to children under 18 years of age.” In other words, these phrases indicate a commitment to protecting and safeguarding children from “labor,” which is not what children are normally supposed to be doing.
Play and recreational activities
This literally means that children are allowed to play freely as appropriate to their age. The fact that this is even mentioned indicates that States Parties have a responsibility to protect children by removing the problems that have taken root in modern society, many of which interfere with and negatively affect children's “right to play.”
Right to participate freely in cultural life and the arts
It emphasizes the significance of allowing children to participate in the arts not only as recipients (e.g., watching and listening) but also as creators (e.g., building and performing). At the same time, “freely” can be interpreted as indirectly stipulating, for example, “the right to participate together with adults regardless of age or generation” and “adults should also accept the participation of children.” This part is closely related to Articles 13, 15, 17, 28, and 30, etc., and it can be understood that these rights will be further deepened and achieved based on the interconnectedness of these articles.
Paragraph 2
It is stated that it is the responsibility of the state to “encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities” in order to achieve the principles and aims set out in paragraph 1.