NEW YORK - The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights is deeply saddened by the loss of our human rights colleague Mike Jendrzejczyk. Mike was the Washington Director for Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division.

He was a treasured and trusted friend whose advocacy skills and knowledge of the world were unparalleled. We worked with Mike on many issues over the years, and we frequently relied on his wisdom and advice.

In addition to his complete grasp of the many complex issues on which he worked, one of the things that made Mike special was his incredible energy and passion for social justice. Many of us were drawn to him, because no matter how difficult the situation or how bleak the human rights challenge, Mike was never out of ideas.

He was the kind of guy who not only could help save the world, but who could also make saving the world fun. That world feels a little empty without him, but we are confident that it is a better place because of him. We offer our deepest condolences to Mike's family and his Human Rights Watch colleagues. His knowledge, guidance and boundless energy will be sorely missed.