Despite the recent speech in Germany condemning multiculturalism by British Prime Minister David Cameron, which, despite the controversy it stirred up amongst sections of the liberal press and ethnic minorities in the UK, many people believe to be nothing more than vote catching spin, the march of multiculturalism continues across Europe with dire consequences.
A Danish MP, Jesper Langballe, who represents the nationalist Danish People's Party in the Danish parliament, has recently been convicted of "incitement of hatred" against Muslims by the Danish courts after pleading guilty following remarks he made concerning the trial of another Danish political activist, Lars Hedegaard, under Denmark's anti-free speech laws.
The MP, a retired Lutheran priest, said that the truth is no defence when it comes to such laws. He said that it is immaterial whether a statement is true or untrue. All that is needed for a conviction is that somebody feels offended. Mr Langballe said: "With this article in the penal code, I must be assumed convicted in advance. I have no intention of participating in this circus. Therefore, I confess."
He continued: "A lot of people in Denmark - first of all Muslims, but also many left-wing people - see feeling offended as an art."
Lars Hedegaard, president of the Danish Free Press Society, despite being acquitted in his trial, said that the "fate of freedom of speech in Europe is being determined now."
