Rapists and perpetrators of other sexual crimes could be granted immunity from prosecution under the UK government's controversial Troubles legacy bill, a former Irish senator has warned.
There are fears the divisive legislation will not only offer an amnesty for killings related to the decades-long conflict, but other offences including sexual violence.
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is scheduled for its second reading in Parliament on Tuesday following its introduction earlier this month.
Read more: Troubles legacy proposal to be brought forward into law
Immunity will be offered to those deemed to have co-operated with a judge-led information retrieval body under the plans.
The legislation will also stop future inquests and civil actions related to the Troubles, but it does not fully close the door to criminal prosecutions.
The proposals, which have been altered since they were first mooted last year, have been almost universally opposed by political parties across the UK and Ireland as well as victims' groups.
But the UK government argues the plan will provide better outcomes for victims, survivors and veterans.
Máiría Cahill, who has alleged she was sexually abused by an IRA man at the age of 16, strongly criticised the British government plans.
The former Irish senator, who has said the IRA interrogated her and covered up what happened, expressed fears that perpetrators of Troubles-era sexual crimes would be among those able to receive immunity from prosecution.
She told Belfast Live: "This bill does not prohibit anyone who has committed acts of sexual violence during the conflict - or who has covered it up - from seeking amnesty. That is quite simply disgraceful.
"The Tory party are publicly saying they take sexual violence seriously, given recent revelations in their own back yard.
"Yet they are prepared to grant amnesty to those accused of conflict-related sexual offences either in NI or England.
"It is an affront to victims, to justice and is gross hypocrisy.
"No one supports this legislation and the NIO (Northern Ireland Office) and Secretary of State should withdraw this bill immediately. It only benefits perpetrators of violence.
"Victims, as ever, being treated shamefully by a Tory party who couldn't care less about the harm caused during the conflict, much less about victims."
The Northern Ireland Office said "serious or connected Troubles-related offences" that are linked to a death or serious injury will be eligible for immunity.
In a statement a spokeswoman said: "Only serious or connected Troubles-related offences that took place between 1 January 1966 and 10 April 1998 and are related to a death or serious injury will be eligible for immunity.
"Troubles-related offences that are not linked to a death or serious injury will not be investigated by the ICRIR, and so will not be subject to immunity provisions.
"Any offences from between 1 January 1966 and 10 April 1998 which are not Troubles-related could still be investigated by PSNI."
Secretary of State Brandon Lewis has previously described the issues addressed in the bill as "very difficult" and "very painful for people", but he said the current system "isn't working for people".
He said the legislation would "give people a reason to come forward and a motivation to come forward that at the moment simply doesn't exist".
Mr Lewis said immunity would be judged by the independent body to be established under the bill, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, based on how people have engaged.
More than 3,500 people were killed during the Troubles, including more than 1,000 members of the security forces.
Most of the deaths are attributed to republican paramilitaries, while 30% are blamed on loyalist paramilitaries and 10% attributed to the security forces.
Read more: Troubles legacy proposal to be brought forward into law
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