WTO, WTF? or Is this a joke?

...if it is, then it's a sick one. Apparently the WTO is proposing slavery as a solution for Africa. No, I am not kidding. Is this 2006 or 1606? Is this a parody (edit: yes it is) by The Onion? The money quote:

"This is what free trade's all about," said Schmidt. "It's about the freedom to buy and sell anything—even people."

Oh, well, it's nice to know where the WTO stands. I'm still flabbergasted, someone tell me that this some kind of error. They seem to be putting a well-intentioned spin on it, but still, it's slavery. (Edit: This whole thing was from a satire site, there is still slavery in the world, just not explicitly condoned by the WTO, mea culpa, read more here about real slavery still happening today) (HT: Le Revue Gauche)
Tags: WTO, slavery, parody.