The protection of the General Equal Treatment Act does not apply to areas governed by public law. However, discrimination is still prohibited in this context, since the German Basic Law requires that citizens are protected against discrimination both by and from the State. In order for a law to be adopted, it must be ensured that it does not breach the fundamental rights enshrined in the Basic Law. Lawmakers, the courts, and all areas of public administration are obliged to conduct themselves according to the same standards and not to act in an arbitrary fashion.