Criticism of Islam to become illegal thoughout Europe?

The Germans have suddenly discovered a very modern use for their history:

"Germany intends to introduce a Europe-wide law banning the display of Nazi symbols and making denial of the Holocaust a crime to fulfil its "historical obligation" 62 years after the liberation of Auschwitz. Brigitte Zypries, the Justice Minister, will today outline plans to punish with up to three years in prison anyone in the European Union who publicly rejects the Nazi slaughter of six million Jews....

But there will be extra pressure from former Soviet-bloc countries for a ban on the provocative use of the communist hammer and sickle.

Ms Zypries will appeal to them at a meeting in Dresden today and tomorrow to build a European criminal code on racism and xenophobia. "We have always said it cannot be the case that it should still be acceptable in Europe to say that six million Jews were never killed," she said. "There is some controversy about that under `freedom of expression' but we believe that there are limits to freedom of expression, and the limits are there when it is offensive to other religions and ethnic groups."

Britain maintains that its laws banning incitement to hatred provide sufficient cover... A British government spokeswoman said that a specific offence of Holocaust denial "would sit uncomfortably with existing freedom of speech legislation", but did not dismiss the German plan.

Source

The words "a European criminal code on racism and xenophobia" imply that "racism", as they define it, will become a crime in Europe. And that means no more criticism of Islam. The words "other religions" above make that very clear.