Edinburgh University, one of Britain's top universities, decided on Wednesday to strip Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe of an honorary degree he was awarded more than 20 years ago. The Zimbabwean dictator was awarded the degree in 1984 for his services to education in Africa. In more recent times, though, he has been criticised for his increasingly violent crackdown on political opposition and alleged human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
The decision to strip Mugabe of the honour -- the first time such a step has been taken in the university's history -- was made by Edinburgh University's Senate, its highest decision-making body, in a late-afternoon meeting. It came after a recommendation from a panel comprised of three senior university professors that his honorary degree by revoked.