Fernand de Varennes is United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues and Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He is the author of over 200 publications in more than 30 languages on human rights in Asia and other parts of the world.

Christie M. Gardiner is Lecturer of Law at the College of Law, Australian National University. Her research focuses on ageing, end of life law, human rights, life extension and technology.