Soran Mama-Hama was born in Kirkuk on February 2, 1987.
In 1991 his family flees Saddam’s regime and settles in Slemani. There, live in make-shift home in former army base in the middle of the city.
From a young age, he worked to help his family make ends meet, working as street vendor and later working with his father. He had also been fond of reading and writing. He writes his first article in 2003 fro PUK main newspaper New Kurdistan.
After the fall of the regime, they return to Kirkuk, where he works as reporter for different outlets. He also writes opinion pieces critical of the authorities.
After finishing high school, Soran attends Kirkuk institute of fine arts to study music.
He keeps writing and working in journalism, until...
On 23rd of July 2008, at the age of 23 he was gunned down in front of his home. He dies on the way to the hospital in the arms of his sister.
His last article was exposing prostitution networks in Kirkuk, in which government officials are involved. His family point the finger at KDP for his murder.
Along side Sardasht Osman, he became an icon for dissent and inspiration for many others and free speech symbol for the 2011 protests in Kurdistan Region.
Eleven years after the launch of an investigation into his murder,
no one has been arrested
CPJ reports:
https://cpj.org/2008/07/reporter-is-slain-in-kirkuk-1.php
https://cpj.org/data/people/soran-mama-hama/