Members of Wagga’s Amnesty International yesterday marked World Day Against the Death Penalty with a candle-lit vigil in solidarity with people on death row around the world. 

In doing so, they joined hundreds of others across the country as they brought to the case of Japanese man Hakamada Iwao to the fore.

Iwao is recognised in the Guinness World Records as the longest-serving death row prisoner after facing the penalty for 45 years.

Vigil organiser Holly Wright said the death penalty contravenes the most fundamental human right – the right to live.

While she admitted the death penalty wasn’t a “real hot button issue” in Australia, the message was simple.

“It’s not about saying people shouldn’t be punished for doing the wrong thing, the death penalty is extreme and irreversible,” Ms Wright said. 

“We care because we believe we have the responsibility to speak out for those who don’t have a voice. 

“There are mixed feelings in Wagga – even though it doesn’t effect us.” 

Mother nature did little to deter the group’s plight, with the visual message clear to peak hour Baylis Street traffic – albeit without the flicker of a candle. 

“The plan was to have constantly lit candles and people would light more as they came,” Ms Wright said. 

The candlelit vigil became a candle-holding vigil because of the wind.

“I was prepared for rain, just not the wind,” she said.

A steady steam of people stopped to take part in the vigil which was held in the Victory Memorial Gardens. 

It also included a minute silence and public address, with a petition document supporting the worldwide abolishment of the death penalty also circulated.