You're losing perspective. They aren't saying that Stalin is okay, they are saying that during WW2, the German people (many of their ancestors) were led by a monster. A monster who allowed Germans to do terrible things to other nations, and industrialized murder of specific races and all types of people.

Germany banning Hitler and Nazi representation isn't them forgetting their past, its an active step into shaping their social memory. The social memory being the evil things that happen when a country is swept up in hate. By outlawing Nazi media, Germany is keeping alive the memory of their terrible past. Its important to note that they aren't saying the current generation should feel guilty, they (and in a perfect world everyone from every nationality) should just remain culturally aware of their actions on others. By banning Hitler, they are accepting their past, and moving forward. They are saying "Here was a terrible evil, lets not follow the evil again".

If you want to see what happens when historical memory is NOT well managed, just look to America with its fascination of the 'Rebel Flag'. A flag many claim was raised to promote southern heritage for everyone, but really was raised in response to black men and women fighting for their rights.

Them not banning the use of Stalin has nothing to do with them banning Hitler. Mainly on the basis of Hitler led Germany, Stalin led the USSR. Maybe in the future we will see a more liberal Russian (or even Chineese) government attempt to come to terms with their history, and maybe then you will see steps taken to reduce positive representations of leaders who were straight up dicks.

Is it weird from an outside perspective? Yes.

Does it seem like its limiting free speech? Yes, although you can make a strong case that representations of Hitler is hate speech/incurring violence, in some situations.

Edit: also it's not like you can't read about the Nazis. It's not censorship in the way we describe it.

But is memory powerful? Extremely. And the German government has gone out of their way to remember their past so conflicting and wrong memories don't emerge.

Sorry for the rant, but this is just my retort to all the points people have against this law.