CBC News has learned that the parents of Shidane Arone are suing Canada for $5 million. They want justice for their 16-year-old son who was beaten to death by Canadian soldiers in Somalia six years ago.

Arone's brutal death touched off a chain of events that rocked this country's military to its core.

The conduct of Canadian military personnel sent on a peacekeeping mission was investigated by the Somalia Commission of Inquiry. But the inquiry was shut down before it could hear testimony about Arone's death.

The beating of Shidane Arone

Newsworld Flashback Background on the Somalia Inquiry

Arone's father says: "I would like justice, humanity, so that my son can rest in peace." The family wants an apology as well as $5 million in compensation for their son's death.

Rohan Bansie, the family's lawyer, says the family is still very upset. "Their son was horrifically tortured, beaten, murdered essentially. And they want some justice."

Canadian peacekeepers said Arone was captured because he broke into their camp.

In a statement of claim, Bansie said the soldiers had orders from the top. Those orders, he said, encouraged the physical abuse of any Somali infiltrators apprehended within the perimeter of the Canadian base.

The statement also outlines that the crown failed in its duty to ensure its troops complied with the provisions of the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners and the rules of war.

The federal government wants the case dismissed, arguing the family waited too long to sue. It also says the Defence Department already compensated the family the value of 100 camels, or about $15,000 US.

In Somali terms, that's a substantial sum. But Arone's parents say the money was given to clan members and that they never saw any of it.

Both sides will be in court next Monday. If the case does proceed to trial, Arone's parents plan to travel to Canada. They want to explain to the court why they believe they should be compensated for their son's death.